Can’t Make it to Paris? Check Out Indianapolis Instead.
Capture the magic of the Summer Olympics this year a little bit closer to home.
Can’t make it to Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics? All is not lost. Say bonjour to Indy! Indianapolis is bringing Paris and the Olympics to the Midwest. Catch the spirit under the 66-foot replica Eiffel Tower downtown for nine days of Olympic celebration from June 15-24. Indy’s Lucas Oil Stadium–home to the U.S. Olympic Team Swim Trials — will host Olympic qualifying swim competitions. This event serves as the sole selection process where 1,500 athletes will compete for 52 spots — 26 males and 26 females — for Team USA in Paris. Tickets are available for single-day and single sessions.
Indianapolis is expected to have over 250,000 fans over the nine-day event, breaking the record for the largest swim meet ever. Lucas Oil Stadium will morph from a football stadium into 860,000 gallons of liquid competition. This marks the first time the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials have ever been staged inside a football stadium. To transform the arena, two-and-a-half Olympic-sized swimming pools had to be built inside the stadium.
Citywide Celebration
The last time Paris hosted the Olympics was in 1924, and Indy hosted the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials. Now, 100 years later, downtown Indy will pulse with Olympic spirit as top swimmers compete for a place in Paris.
“USA Swimming Live is where you’ll find the free concerts, food, and family-friendly festivities — right on Georgia Street,” says Dan Gliot, senior communications director. All of this in the shadows of a 66-foot Eiffel Tower.” The 19,000-pound tower, welded by Indy’s Latinas Welding Guild, will serve as inspiration and an Insta-worthy backdrop. Toyota Aqua Zone will be inside the Indiana Convention Center. Visitors can expect tons of free, interactive Olympic and swimming-themed, hands-on activities.
“All these activities are walking distance,” says Gliot. “That’s what makes Indianapolis such a cool town — it’s very walkable downtown. You can easily walk to everything we have planned, plus all the bars and restaurants.”
Go For the Gold!
Yes, you can win an Olympic gold medal. Indiana is extending its award-winning celebration to everyone. Olympic fans around the country can participate in the 24 Miles Before Trials. Get in shape and compete along with the spirit of the Olympic games in the weeks leading up to the trials. The goal is to swim 24 miles, or participants can mix it up with paddleboarding and swimming. “No matter where you live, you can complete the challenge and earn a gold medal,” Gliot says. “It’s just an opportunity for everyone to get out there and be healthy.”
Another way to go for the gold? Over 3,000 volunteers are needed over the course of this nine-day event. Volunteer for at least three different shifts to earn your gold. Volunteer shifts open on April 15.
“We’re looking for people to work some shifts in the convention center and at the hotels,” says “Most volunteers will be local,” says Gliot. “welcoming people to Indianapolis with that Hoosier Hospitality. We have people with tickets coming all the way from Alaska to watch the event.”