OMEGA interview with Daniel Craig at the Olympic Games Paris 2024

Daniel Craig at the OMEGA House in Paris.

Do you know Paris well?

I’ve been coming to Paris since I was 16. It's just one of those magic, special places. We went to the Showjumping at Versailles today, which is a place I've never been to. I’ve been to Paris so many times, but never out to that side. Suddenly, hearing the crowd and how big they are, and how excited they are, it was great to experience the city in that way.

Tell us about the events you saw.

We got to the Showjumping for the jump-off, which is probably the most exciting part. Seeing those horses and how quickly they're moving - you don’t really get a sense of that on the television. But you see them getting across that ground and hitting those high jumps. It's off the charts.

We also had time for skateboarding this afternoon. I mean, these kids are so young, but just extraordinary. Although, I didn’t really know what was going on, because I wasn't a skateboarder.

Daniel Craig watching the equestrian at the Olympics 2024.

What are your favourite memories of past Olympic Games?

I'm a sucker for the Olympic Games. It's really hard not to get wrapped up in it. I seem to remember Beijing 2008 was a big, big moment for the British team. We started winning medals properly, and especially with the bikes.

I'll tell you how much I’m into the Olympics. I will watch it, and then I will buy the highlight DVD and watch that avidly. Then I'll get into the Paralympics, like, straight away. I'm absolutely excited by it.

You played a famous role in the Opening Ceremony for London 2012.

Do you still hold good memories of that experience?

On the job I'm just doing now, I recently saw the gaffer who worked on that Opening Ceremony job.  We were reminiscing about it the other day, about how surreal it was. We were setting up down these hallways, and thought, this isn't real. Ten minutes later, the Queen walks out. She acted as well as improvised. She was very, very up for it. So it was a lot of fun. And who knew that it would have the impact that it did? When you do it, you think, is this going to work? I didn't realize quite how much people would be surprised by it. But I loved that whole Opening Ceremony in London. If that's my connection with the Olympics, it’s not a bad one.

Have you played a lot of sports in your own life? If so, which Olympic Games sports are you drawn to?

I love rugby, so it's hard not to get wrapped up in the Sevens tournament.  Especially with Dupont and the win for France. I played football and rugby when I was a kid, and I’ve played tennis a little bit as an adult. That’s been interesting watching that at the Olympic Games. I mean, Nadal and Alcaraz, what an amazing doubles pair.

Picture courtesy of OMEGA.

Knowing OMEGA, what do you think makes this brand the best choice to be OMEGA Timekeeper?

My connection with OMEGA before was always the Moonwatch and the Olympics. That’s what they are in my psyche. I had an uncle who had a Moonwatch, and that was always a big deal for me. But with the Olympic Games, the fact they’re able to pull this timekeeping together and take on the challenge is really impressive.

Why do you think the world is so inspired by the Olympic Games?

Something magic happens. It's always about the athletes and these incredible human beings that exist. I get emotionally drawn into, but less about the record breaking and all of that, although that's fantastic and amazing. It’s more about the emotion of the  person who wins silver or bronze, because it’s still the best thing that's ever happened to them, and they know it means they're the second or third best in the world at something. To see that emotion in those that take part, you can't help but get swept along by it.

Daniel Craig at the Olympics 2024 spotted with unreleased no-date OMEGA Seamaster.

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