The tantalizing prospect of Olympic gold starts in Indianapolis this weekend for the best swimmers in the United States.
More than a thousand world-class athletes will take to the pools constructed inside Lucas Oil Stadium, gunning for a spot on the USA Swimming team competing in Paris this summer.
The action in the pool will captivate the country. But the excitement doesn’t start and end in the swimming lanes.
Over the next nine days, local residents can enjoy daily live concerts, swimming-themed activity zones, food, drinks, even a swim-up bar (minus the water). Organizers have erected a 66-foot tall replica of the Eiffel Tower, and planned special art installations throughout the downtown area.
The U.S. Olympic Team Trials will be one of the wildest sporting events the city has hosted. Here’s what to know as you go for the gold between Saturday and June 23:
Football field transformed
For the past 16 years, Lucas Oil Stadium has been transformed in multiple ways to host a variety of special events. Apart from its main focus as the home of the Indianapolis Colts, the venue has been filled with dirt for monster truck rallies and motocross races, covered over in hardwood to host the Final Four of the NCAA basketball tournament and filled with screaming fans for the region’s biggest concerts.
This is something entirely new.
Organizers have built 2 1/2 Olympic-size pools inside Lucas Oil — marking the first time ever that U.S. Olympic swimming trials have been staged in an NFL stadium. More than 250,000 spectators are expected to attend. Single-day tickets are on sale now starting at $15 and up, and include the prelims and finals for each day. Or people can purchase single-session tickets for either the morning or the afternoon events each day. Go to usaswimming.org to get yours.
The Paris of the Midwest
You won’t find the Seine, the Louvre or the Arc de Triomphe if you make your way to downtown Indianapolis over the next nine days. But people will be able to see a replica of the Eiffel Tower set up specifically for the swimming trials. The reimagining of the iconic Parisian landmark will dot the skyline outside the Indiana Convention Center on Georgia Street. Fabricated by the Latinas Welding Guild, the 20,000 pound Eiffel Tower — dubbed the “Indianapolis Tower” — will be a ideal photo opportunity and will offer an inside look to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
All lanes lead to Indy
USA Swimming LIVE, sponsored by Purdue University, kicked off Friday with the Starting Block Party on Georgia Street and will run concurrently throughout the team trials. From 1 to 8 p.m. daily, people can find food and drink up and down Georgia Street. The Swim Up Bar offers refreshments and a poolside atmosphere (though without water), and explore the impressive All Lanes Lead to Indy Artwork showcased along Georgia Street.
Sounds like swimming
As part of the activities on Georgia Street, organizers have lined up a nine-day slate of music to keep the energy high and the party rocking through the nine-day run of the team trials. Headliners include lovelytheband, Brittney Spencer, Fastball and Six Foot Blonde. All the Swifties can show their love during Taylor Swift Night: The Taylor Party, or go back to the heady days of the Clinton years during a set by Saved by the 90s. Concerts will run from 2 to 7 p.m. each day. The full lineup includes:
June 15: lovelytheband
June 16: John Driskell Hopkins (Hop from Zac Brown Band)
June 17: The Motet
June 18: Saved By The 90s
June 19: Brittney Spencer
June 20: Taylor Swift Night: The Taylor Party
June 21: Fastball
June 22: Zee Machine and Sizzy Rocket
June 23: Six Foot Blonde
Fun for the fans
Even if you’re not heading into Lucas Oil Stadium to see the swimming live, visitors to downtown Indianapolis can find a wealth of activities at the Toyota Aqua Zone, a free, family-friendly fan fest that will be held every day of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials inside the Indiana Convention Center. This interactive fan event will feature athlete appearances and unique activations focused on art, music, technology and entertainment. The Aqua Zone retail store will open every day at 9 a.m., while all other activations will take place from 1 to 7 p.m. each day.
IF YOU GO
U.S. Olympic Team Trials
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium
When: Saturday through June 23; preliminaries are at 11 a.m. each day with finals at 8 p.m.
Tickets: Available at usaswimming.org
TV: All finals sessions will air live on NBC; preliminaries will be streamed live on Peacock and tape-delayed on USA Network
