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| MyLaps | |
|---|---|
| Name | MyLaps |
| Type | Private |
| Industry | Sports timing |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Headquarters | Netherlands |
| Products | Timing transponders, RFID systems, timing software |
MyLaps
MyLaps is a Netherlands-based company specializing in electronic timing systems for competitive motorsport, athletics (track and field), triathlon, marathon, cycling, skiing, and endurance events. Founded in the early 1990s, the company developed radio-frequency identification timing hardware and software used at events ranging from grassroots karting to international Olympic Games qualifiers. Its offerings have been adopted by organizations, federations, teams, and event organizers across Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
MyLaps traces origins to the rise of electronic timing in motorsport circuits in the late 20th century and the commercialization of RFID technology during the 1990s. Early growth paralleled developments at venues like Circuit Zandvoort, Goodwood Circuit, and Silverstone Circuit. Over time the firm expanded from transponders for kart racing to systems used in Boston Marathon, London Marathon, and national championships such as the UCI Road World Championships and national athletics (track and field) leagues. Strategic interactions involved collaborations with organizations including the International Association of Athletics Federations, World Athletics, the International Triathlon Union, and motorsport entities such as the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile affiliates. Corporate milestones intersected with industry players like Tag Heuer, Hublot, and timing vendors at events like the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Product lines cover transponders, RFID tags, timing loops, mats, software suites, and live-result platforms. Hardware incorporates principles used in systems developed for venues such as Monaco Grand Prix paddocks and circuits like Spa-Francorchamps and Nürburgring. Software platforms integrate with databases resembling those used by federations like USA Track & Field, European Athletics, and timing partners for events like the Boston Athletic Association races. Technical comparisons often reference technologies from companies tied to Tag Heuer, OMEGA, and timing services used at the Olympic Games, and draw on standards seen in digital systems used by Garmin, Suunto, and Polar Electro. Innovations cite work done in RFID research at institutions such as Eindhoven University of Technology, Delft University of Technology, and industrial labs across Silicon Valley.
Operational services include on-site installation at circuits and road races, data management for federations like USA Cycling, British Cycling, and Cycling Australia, and licensing to event promoters. Event support mirrors practices used by organizers of the Comrades Marathon, Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, and national championships in countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia. Customer segments comprise national federations (e.g., USA Track & Field, Athletics Kenya), professional teams like those competing in UCI WorldTour races, and mass-participation organizers including the New York City Marathon and municipal marathon committees.
Coverage spans motorsport disciplines (Formula One, MotoGP, IndyCar feeder series), endurance sports (Ironman, Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc), road racing (major city marathons such as London Marathon, New York City Marathon, Berlin Marathon), track competitions (national championships and fixtures involving European Athletics member federations), cycling events including stages of grand tours such as the Tour de France and criteriums, and multisport events like the Commonwealth Games trials and qualification meets. Specialized deployments appear in winter sports venues inspired by events at Beijing National Stadium and alpine circuits used for FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.
Clients include national federations such as USA Track & Field, Athletics Canada, British Athletics, Athletics Federation of India; event organizers like the Boston Athletic Association, London Marathon Events; motorsport circuits including Brands Hatch and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya; and commercial partners spanning wearables and data analytics firms like Garmin, Strava, and Stryd. Institutional collaborations reference ties to governing bodies such as World Athletics, UCI, FIA affiliates, and the International Olympic Committee stakeholders. Corporate alliances have been compared to relationships between Rolex and Formula One Management or timing partnerships in events overseen by AIBA and other sanctioning entities.
Critiques have focused on timing failures at high-profile events, disputes over lost or misread transponders during races like city marathons and local triathlon series, and concerns about data privacy paralleling debates involving Facebook, Google, and Marriott International in other sectors. Event organizers and federations including some regional branches of World Athletics and national committees have sometimes challenged results, echoing controversies previously seen with technology suppliers in contexts such as Olympic Games scoring disputes and timing protests at Fédération Internationale de Football Association tournaments. Academic critiques align with surveillance debates by scholars at institutions like Oxford University and Harvard University.
MyLaps' systems influenced professional timing standards adopted by federations including World Athletics and UCI, and informed product strategies of competitors in the timekeeping sector such as firms supplying services at the Olympic Games and World Championships. Adoption by high-profile events increased expectations for live-data delivery comparable to coverage standards set by broadcasters like BBC Sport, ESPN, and Sky Sports. Reception among athletes, coaches, and event directors—represented by organizations such as USATF, British Triathlon, and Athletics Kenya—has ranged from praise for accuracy to calls for improved redundancy and transparency, similar to feedback given to technology partners in other elite sport settings like Formula One and World Athletics fixture management.
Category:Sports timing companies