INDIANAPOLIS — The stage is set.
The U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Indianapolis takes place June 15-23.
13News got a first look inside Lucas Oil Stadium as diamond blue water now covers the emerald green turf.
“This is remarkable,” said Tim Hinchey III, president of USA Swimming.
The latest transformation of the Indianapolis Colts' gridiron is also setting a record of its own, being the first to build a pool inside an NFL stadium.
“We will go down in history as the first city to ever do it,” said Patrick Talty, president of Indiana Sports Corp.
The trials are on track also to be the largest swim meet ever. The event will last nine days and is expected to draw more than 250,000 fans.
Nearly 1,000 of the country’s fastest swimmers will make the trek to Indianapolis and compete for 52 spots on Team USA.
“This must be a technically flawless meet. That is what USA Swimming will not compromise on. We got the tools to do that now,” said Shana Furgeson, with USA Swimming.
Colts mascot Blue even helped kick off the pool’s opening with an inaugural dip — or rather, splash.
Over the last month, hundreds of workers helped bring the largest stage in swimming to life.
Just two weeks ago, 13News went behind the scenes as crews constructed the pools, added graphics and even went underneath the pool deck.
“The pools are in incredible shape. The construction of this has been even more flawless than it has ever been before. So, we will take that as a win,” Ferguson said.
Another cool highlight of the event is the 70-foot video screen that will announce swimmers before they come onto the pool deck.
“Their names will wrap around the boards, too,” Ferguson said. “It will be a whole show.”
Indiana Sports Corp says it’s a can’t-miss event, with history being made every night.
“This is going to be entertainment. You are going to see the world’s fastest swimmers, and you are going to see an Olympian named to the team every single night,” Talty said.
If there’s one thing Indy knows, it’s how to host a spectacle. This time, the city is replacing the checkered flag with the fastest lap in the pool.