Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium, usually home to the Colts, was transformed into a massive swimming pool of this past weekend's U.S. Olympic Trials. Actually it was converted into three swimming pools.
Eric Neuburger, director of Lucas Oil Stadium, noted the striking change from football field to swimming arena. "The emerald-green turf is now diamond-blue water," Neuburger said. "Lucas Oil Stadium is known for its versatility in hosting significant events, and this is another example of that transformation."
Check out our new pool. 💧 pic.twitter.com/2oT7245Cqr
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) June 5, 2024
The setup included two 1-million-gallon swimming pools on the field, with a third pool also present. This marks the first time a major swimming competition was be held in a football stadium. The pools were built above ground but surrounded by a deck, giving the appearance of being in-ground. Water for the pools came from the White River and was purified and chlorinated before filling the pools.
For those curious on how the transformation looked you can see a timelapse of the construction below.
in about four weeks, Lucas Oil Stadium went from a football field to an Olympic trials pool.
— Michelle R. Martinelli (@MMartinelli4) June 12, 2024
It's “a very intricate above-ground pool” but looks like an in-ground one with a plumbing system resembling “a grown up Erector Set.”
📷: @USASwimming https://t.co/9EMjKQLVrP pic.twitter.com/y23yt7MVmN
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Many will question why they chose to use a football stadium and spend exorbitant amounts of money rather than use a traditional swimming venue, and probably for good reason. In the end I guess the answer is simply because they could.
Those who made team USA in the temporary pool will now set their sights on the Paris Olympics, which begin on July 26 and conclude on August 11.
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