Omaha Selected as Host for 2008 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials

Lincoln, Neb. - Omaha was selected as the host for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, announced Tuesday by USA Swimming in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The event will take place June 30-July 7, 2008 at Qwest Center OMAHA, marking the first time in history that the event will be held in a temporary pool in an indoor facility, as two 50-meter pools will be installed in the 17,000-seat arena.

Nebraska Head Coach Pablo Morales served a role on the bid committee in the selection process, and is happy to see this happen for the state of Nebraska.

"For Omaha to get the bid is outstanding," Morales said.  "It is the preeminent swimming event for United States Swimming and it will be happening right here.  This is an amazing showcase not only for the city of Omaha, but also for swimming in Nebraska and the midwest."

Chuck Wielgus, Executive Director of USA Swimming, said the city of Omaha has "flown under the national radar," and its bid met all technical needs and presented a strong marketing plan necessary to host this event.

"The bids from each of the three finalists were outstanding," Chuck Wielgus said. "Each one surpassed the winning bid from Long Beach in 2004, which made the decision tougher, but also ensured that our sport would have an event in 2008 that would meet our goals and take the sport to a new level of public awareness and excitement. People are going to be blown away by Omaha."

The city of Omaha will also take on the responsibility of creating excitement for the sport of swimming as the event nears and takes place.

Over 950 people have already volunteered to work at the first-ever Olympic event in the Cornhusker State, showing a sign of anticipation and interest for this spectacular event.