Report: 2024 Olympic Trials Will Be Held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Report: 2024 Olympic Trials Will Be Held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis

Prior to each of the past four Summer Olympics, USA Swimming has selected its team at an eight-day Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb., at a venue known as the Qwest Center (2008), CenturyLink Center (2012 & 2016) and CHI Health Center (2021). In a swimming configuration, the venue could seat about 12,000 spectators. For 2024, however, the Trials will be on the move. According to a report from the Indianapolis Star, the Trials will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.

The Indy Star reports that USA Swimming and Indiana Sports Corp. will hold a press conference Tuesday to announce the venue as host of the 2024 Olympic Trials. Indianapolis had been rumored as a strong candidate to host in 2024, with St. Louis, Minneapolis and a return to Omaha among other possibilities. This meet would be the fifth occasion that Olympic Trials has been held in Indianapolis. Previously, the IUPUI Natatorium hosted the meet in 1984, 1992, 1996 and 2000.

In 2004, Trials was moved to a temporary venue in Long Beach, Calif., that could accommodate 10,000 people, more than double the capacity of the permanent natatorium in Indianapolis, and then the Omaha venue allowed for an even bigger audience to witness the next four Trials. But the Indianapolis plan for 2024 would allow a seating capacity of 30,000 to 35,000, more than doubling the size of the audience on hand in Omaha.

The Indy Star reports the venue would have two 50-meter pools, one for competition and one for training, within the stadium. A similar layout inside the stadium was used for the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

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spj5

2 years ago

I’d like to know what the cost is to build these temporary swimming pools inside of other sports venues. Obviously the cost is offset by being able to sell more tickets. But what happens to the pools and 2 million gallons of water after the meet? And where does the warm-up pool go? The time lapse YouTube videos of the pool builds are fun to watch though.

Steven Greseth

2 years ago

Reply to spj5

The Olympic Trials pools are made by Myrtha. Both pools will be taken apart and sold to make new pools. West Fargo, North Dakota has one and one went to a pool in Minneapolis.

James Sharp

2 years ago

Reply to spj5

My understanding is those pools are already sold before built.

robert kravutske

2 years ago

Reply to spj5

they save the water for the next trials in 4 years…….it is stored in colorado springs at the olympic training facility. elite swimmers are allowed to train in this ” elite level water”……it is also sold in 6 oz. bottles to fans on site and on home shopping network…….the water is also blessed by st. neptune before the start of events……..the elite water, costing double, comes from lane 4……it is ” super fast ” water that all the teenage fans demand!!!!!…….any other questions??????……..dr. science……p.s…..some of this water is sold to 3 rd world countries for their swimmers in training…..when you strive for the best you ” need ” the best to train……dream…..and fullfill!!!!!……share the tools!!!!

Carrie Harmon

2 years ago

Reply to spj5

It’s 19 million, however the temporary pool has already been purchased by a separate entity and it is borrowed for the Trials pool post-production.