Qwest Center Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska will host the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Swimming, the first time the event will be staged in a temporary pool in an indoor facility. “Omaha is a wonderful city that has flown under the national radar,” said Chuck Wielgus, Executive Director of USA Swimming. “It is a city poised to make a stunning debut with a renovated historic district, a revitalized downtown, a vigorous business environment and a sports-mad population ready to embrace our athletes. “Some might raise their eyebrows at the awarding of our most important event of the Olympic quadrennial to Omaha, but we are confident this is going to be an extraordinary partnership that will serve the best interests of our athletes, their coaches and our sport.”
Two temporary 50-meter pools will be installed in the Qwest Center, which is a state-of-the-art, 17,000-seat sports and entertainment venue completed in September 2003. Connected to the arena is a new convention center, which will be the home for the USA Swimming Aqua Zone, the sponsor and fan experience area. The estimated seating capacity for the Trials will be 14,000.
In addition to providing an excellent venue with ample seating capabilities and the ability to expand the Aqua Zone, Omaha will also have the opportunity to create a city-wide festival throughout the course of the event in order to celebrate the sport of swimming.
A look back at the 2004 Olympic Trials
In 2004, the Olympic Trials for Swimming reached a whole new level, with more than 700 of America’s top swimmers competing in the eight-day event in Long Beach, Calif.
It was the first time the Olympic Trials were held in an outdoor venue with temporary pools, which attracted crowds beyond anything any natatorium in the United States could handle. Record crowds – two sessions topped 10,000 spectators – watched as American swimmers broke six world records.
“There were many things that were incredible about Long Beach,” Wielgus said. “More than anything, we created a big-time event with a festival atmosphere around the Team Trials. The good television ratings gave us excellent exposure heading into the 2004 Olympic Games.”
Upcoming Meet Information 
