Omega Cuts the Ribbon at Sochi Olympic Winter Games Pavilion

With the Olympic Winter Games just days away, Omega has officially inaugurated its presence in Sochi.

Ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony, the manufacture celebrated the grand opening of its Omega Pavilion in the Russian city’s Olympic Park.

Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek and Omega President Stephen Urquhart joined IOC President Thomas Bach and legendary swimmer and IOC member Alexander Popov for the opening.

The four VIPs made their way around the Pavilion, posing in front of the timekeeping exhibition, taking a ride in the interactive bobsled simulator and watching OMEGA’s 3D speed skating video.

Mr Hayek commented on the brand’s involvement in the Olympic Games, saying, “We are all here because of the athletes and because of sport. It’s not about politics; it’s about the emotion of sport. It’s worth all the effort to create [the Olympic Games] for the billions of people in the world.”

Following their speeches, Mr Hayek presented Mr Bach with a “final lap bell” and Mr Bach reciprocated with a Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch, saying, “Now you can have the Olympic flame not only in your heart but also in your hands.”

The two-story Omega Pavilion building will serve as the brand’s pop-up home for the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The manufacture will host a number of events at the Pavilion, including watchmaking demonstrations and question-and-answer sessions with a number of its prominent brand ambassadors.

Starting February 8, the Omega Pavilion will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. with special hours on Opening and Closing Ceremony days. Spectators, athletes and guests can visit the Pavilion and experience the interactive bobsled simulator, explore the art of mechanical watchmaking, browse Omega’s timepiece collections in the boutique and learn more about the Winter Olympic disciplines.

Photos courtesy Omega.