Seiko Bell: A Legacy for the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25
As the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 concluded, Seiko Group Corporation, the official event timer, presented a specially crafted final lap bell to the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Foundation. This gesture symbolizes the passion and emotion embodied by the championships.
Significance of the Final Lap Bell
The final lap bell traditionally signals the last lap in middle and long-distance races (800m and above). For the 2025 World Championships, Seiko reimagined this bell by blending traditional Japanese craftsmanship with elegant design.
Craftsmanship and Design
The bell is made of bronze, composed of 80% copper and 20% tin, and was produced by Oigo Works, a distinguished Japanese metal crafts workshop with a long heritage. The cord is an Edo-braided masterpiece in the official Edo purple of the championships, accented with gold and silver threads, crafted by Ryuta Fukuda, a Tokyo-based kumihimo cord maker.
The bell and its cord "stand as a true symbol of the passion and emotion of the World Championships."
Seiko’s Enduring Partnership
- Seiko has partnered with World Athletics since 1985.
- They have served as the official timer for over 190 World Athletics events.
- The Tokyo 25 championships marked Seiko’s 19th consecutive role since the 1987 World Championships in Rome.
Author’s summary: The Seiko bell gifted for Tokyo 25 represents a blend of tradition and artistry, symbolizing the enduring partnership and passion surrounding World Athletics.