How does timing work in Olympic pools?

In Olympic swimming pools timing is automatically recorded when swimmers touch the touchpad panel installed on the finish wall.

Swimming Pool Scoreboard Systems

Name: Artemis Pool and Fountain Systems
Address: TR

Swimming pool scoreboard systems are an essential part of modern competition pools and professional timing infrastructure. These systems are among the race technologies developed especially for Olympic swimming pools.

The Right Address for Swimming Pool Planning and Design Services – Artemis Pool and Fountain Systems

Automatic Timing Systems for Competition Pools

Automatic timing systems are installed in Olympic swimming pools used for competition purposes. Thanks to the touch panels (touchpads) used in full Olympic and short-course Olympic swimming pools, athletes’ exact finishing times are determined, transferred to the scoreboard, and securely recorded by professional timing systems.

Our products are CE certified. The timing system has been verified by tests conducted by TÜBİTAK UME to operate with a margin of error of 0.000 seconds over a 10-minute period. With this operating principle, any infringement of athletes’ rights in timing results is prevented, and fair competition is ensured. In addition, all race- and athlete-related data are recorded by the system throughout the competition.

Scoreboards for water polo are also available. Upon request, swimming scoreboards can be converted into water polo scoreboards through a software update, and 30-second shot clock devices are supplied together with the system.

Scoreboard systems are professional timing and result display systems used especially in Olympic swimming pools and competition pools. These systems provide accurate time measurement, real-time result display and reliable race management for swimming competitions.

Scoreboard Systems
Ready for International Competitions

Olympic pool scoreboard systems are not limited to simply displaying times; they are evaluated together with technical requirements such as timekeeping infrastructure, touchpad integration, lane-based data transmission, real-time result processing, and high-visibility LED display technology. A standards-compliant system design guarantees the accurate recording of race results, simultaneous data transmission, and maximum visibility and reliability for both spectators and athletes.

For detailed information about international competition standards, you can review the rules published by World Aquatics .

Timing and scoreboard technologies used in international competitions are also referenced in Olympic swimming competitions standards.

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FINA compliant swimming pool scoreboard systems used in Olympic competition pools

Product Categories

Swimming pool timing systems
Olympic pool timing systems
Swimming competition timing systems
Automatic swimming timing systems
Swimming pool scoreboards
Water polo scoreboards

Starting Platform

Maximum Height	660 mm
Maximum Width	640 mm
Foot Area	0.37 m²
Material	GRP

Used in swimming competitions.
Measures reaction time.
5 adjustable heel positions.

Start System

Height	230 mm
Width	207 mm
Depth	300 mm
Weight	5.4 kg
Operating Voltage	14.8 V
Operating Temperature	-40°C – +55°C
Protection Class	IP54
Material	Aluminum

Synchronized with swimming timing systems.
Equipped with microphone and connection accessories.
Flash light operates simultaneously with sound start.
Can operate up to 20 external speakers.
Programmable sound tone adjustment.
Rechargeable Li-Ion battery.

Lane Box

Height	80 mm
Width	160 mm
Thickness	41 mm
Weight	0.52 kg
Cable Length	3 m
Average Power Consumption	380 mW
Operating Voltage	12 V
Operating Temperature	-40°C – +55°C
Protection Class	IP65
Material	ABS

Used in swimming competitions.
Suitable for semi-olympic and olympic swimming pools.
Operates as a portable unit.
Starting block can be connected to any of the three buttons.
Data and touchpad control can be monitored in real time.
Race start can be initiated.

Touchpad

Dimensions	240 cm x 90 cm x 1 cm (FINA)
Weight	17 kg
Operating Method	Switch method
Color	Yellow - Black
Connector Type	Banana jack
Maintenance	Required
Control Unit	Remote control connected
Protection Class	IP67
Housing Type	UV-resistant PVC
Cable Length	2.75 m

Used in swimming competitions.
Suitable for semi-olympic and olympic pools.
Used for time measurement in competitions.
Fast and easy installation.
Collected after the competition and stored in transport carts.

Thermal Printer

Height	57 mm
Width	133 mm
Thickness	126 mm
Maximum Power Consumption	7.5 W
Operating Voltage	5V – 9V
Operating Temperature	+5°C – +50°C
Operating Humidity	10% – 90%
Printing Speed	50 – 80 mm/s
Paper Diameter	39 mm
Maximum Line Printing	5,000,000 lines
Protection Class	IP50

Used in swimming competitions.
Used to print instant race results.
Thermal paper is easy to replace.
Can print split times in subtractive or cumulative mode.

System Control Unit

Height	102 mm
Width	338 mm
Depth	287 mm
Weight	2.6 kg
Average Power Consumption	22 W
Maximum Power	50 W
Operating Voltage	10.8V – 16.8V
Operating Temperature	-40°C – +55°C
Protection Class	IP54
Material	Aluminum

Used in swimming competitions.
Provides synchronized communication with all equipment.
Sends real-time data to the thermal printer.
All equipment can be tested simultaneously.
User-friendly interface enables fast control.
Features fast charging capability.
Includes race recovery functionality.
Flash order, event, and race memory available.

Lane Scoreboard

Height	2900 mm
Width	1900 mm
Depth	85 mm
Weight	75 kg
Average Power	475 W
Maximum Power	900 W
Operating Voltage	100–120V / 200–240V
Operating Temperature	-40°C – +55°C
Protection Class	IP54
Material	Aluminum

Used in swimming competitions.
Suitable for semi-olympic and olympic swimming pools.
Can be used as portable or fixed installation.
Displays split and final times during competitions.

Record Scoreboard

Height	290 mm
Width	1900 mm
Depth	85 mm
Weight	9 kg
Average Power	35.6 W
Maximum Power	67.5 W

Used in swimming competitions.
Suitable for olympic and semi-olympic swimming pools.
Can be portable or wall-mounted.
Displays team scores.

Team Scoreboard

Height	580 mm
Width	1900 mm
Depth	85 mm
Weight	14.4 kg
Average Power	95 W
Maximum Power	180 W
Operating Voltage	100–120V / 200–240V
Operating Temperature	-40°C – +55°C
Protection Class	IP54
Material	Aluminum

Used in swimming competitions.
Suitable for olympic and semi-olympic swimming pools.
Can be portable or permanently mounted.
Displays split and final times during competitions.

Graphic Scoreboard

Operating Voltage	100–120V / 200–240V
Operating Temperature	-40°C – +55°C
Protection Class	IP54
Material	Aluminum

Used in swimming competitions.
Displays all race data on the screen.
Can be manufactured in custom sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scoreboard Systems

Basic information about scoreboard and timing systems used in swimming pools.

What is a scoreboard system?

A scoreboard system is a professional electronic display system used in swimming competitions and aquatic sports to show athletes’ times, race results and lane-based data. Modern scoreboard systems integrate LED screen technology, automatic timing infrastructure and race management software to provide real-time result display.

How do scoreboard systems work in swimming pools?

In swimming pools, the scoreboard system operates together with start devices, touchpad panels, lane box units and central control software. When the race begins, the system automatically starts timing, and when the swimmer touches the touchpad panel at the end wall of the pool, the time is recorded. These data are instantly transferred to the central control system and displayed on the LED scoreboard screen.

How does the timing system work in Olympic pools?

Timing systems used in Olympic swimming pools consist of highly precise electronic equipment. The race is started with the start system and the time is automatically measured when swimmers touch the touchpad panels at the end wall of the pool. The system works integrated with lane boxes, control units and race management software to record results with millisecond precision.

What is a touchpad system?

The touchpad system consists of electronic contact panels that automatically detect the finishing moment of swimmers during competitions. These panels are placed on the finish wall of the pool and send a signal to the timing system when touched by the swimmer. In this way, race results are recorded accurately and reliably without the need for manual intervention.

Timing and scoreboard systems used in competition pools are an essential part of professional race infrastructure, especially developed for Olympic swimming pools.

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E-Catalog

As Artemis Pool & Fountain Systems, you can access detailed information about our products, applications, and fields of activity through our E-Catalog. Our engineering-focused solutions and professional services in compliance with international standards are summarized in this catalog.