2020 Olympic Swimming Trials Will get $750K from City of Omaha

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

The City of Omaha has pledged $750,000 in taxpayer money to cover some of USA Swimming’s more than $3 million in costs to host the 2020 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, The Associated Press reported.

The City Council approved a plan to make the second of three annual $250,000 payments to the Omaha Sports Commission for USA Swimming, the Omaha World-Herald reported.

The money was needed to keep the trials in Omaha after sponsor Mutual of Omaha, scaled back its support, according to city officials. The insurance company cut ties with USA Swimming in 2016, the same year that Omaha hosted the quadrennial event for the third consecutive time, according to the AP.

Regional tourism officials estimated that the 2016 swimming trials had a local economic impact of about $74 million. Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding told reporters investing $750,000 to secure $74 million is a “no-brainer.”

The 2016 trials brought approximately 200,000 fans to Omaha.

“Omaha is proud and fortunate to host the Olympic Swim Trials for the fourth time in 2020,” Stothert told the AP. “The city’s financial support demonstrates our pride and ongoing commitment to Olympic athletes and the fans that support their athletic achievements.”

The 2020 Olympic Trials run from June 21-28. The eight-day long meet will take place in Omaha for the fourth time at the CenturyLink Center, which will again seat 13,000-plus fans for eight days of swimming, as it has for the Olympic Trials in 2008, 2012 and 2016.

The 2020 Olympic Trials will serve as the selection meet for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

USA Swimming officials declined to comment about the city’s decision to The Associated Press. Swimming World has reached out to officials but not received a response.

Read the full Omaha World-Herald story here.

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Darrell Reed

4 years ago

So tickets won’t be so ridiculously expensive??? ??? I’ll be there regardless!