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A rendering of the pools that will be built at Lucas Oil Stadium. (Jill Sheridan/WFYI)
It’s one year out until Indianapolis hosts the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for swimming – and an NFL stadium will house the event for the first time.
Lucas Oil Stadium will turn into a natatorium, featuring three pools and the capacity to host up to 30,000 attendees a session.
USA Swimming President and CEO Tim Hinchey said having the trials at Lucas Oil provides a chance for more people to experience the sport.
“There's an opportunity to invite more people to be part of our sport,” Hinchey said. “More people to see the greatest sport, we think certainly, in water.”
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said 100 years have passed since the city first hosted the trials – and both contests have something in common.
“The trials share Paris as the ultimate destination for our qualifying athletes,” Hogsett said.
The trials will feature nine days of events and about 1,500 swimmers vying for a spot on the Olympic team. Indiana Sports Corp estimates an economic impact of around $100 million, with about a quarter million visitors expected in Indianapolis next year.
Concurrent events are planned for the downtown area, including fan experiences at the convention center, along Georgia Street, and at a Parisian-themed canal walk.
Boys and Girls Club President Maggie Lewis said two legacy projects will dive into inclusive swimming opportunities.
“To ensure increased access to water for children and underserved areas in the Indianapolis area, and that work has already started,” Lewis said.
The Olympic trials start June 15, 2024.
Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.
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