The Road to London Starts in Omaha!

My name is Katarina, and I'm the fourth to share my love for Omaha in this "Stalking Omaha" blog.  As my sister Diana and friends Laura and Sarah mentioned previously, the inspiration for this blog came from our excitement over back to back summer activities in Omaha.  The last few days have been no exception: a free outdoor music and movie event at the Holland, the College World Series, and the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials!



Katarina, Sarah, Diana, Laura (front to back) before watching Karate Kid at the Holland



As mentioned in Laura's previous post, on June 22 we went to the first "Cox Music and Movies" of the season, outdoor events put on by the Omaha Performing Arts.  Held at the Holland, these events are free and open to the public.  The schedule can be found at http://www.omahaperformingarts.org/series/details.aspx?ID=19.

Then, as if the College World Series excitement wasn't enough to draw crowds to Omaha, the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials overlapped with the last CWS championship game.  After attending the 2008 U.S. Swim Trials here in Omaha, my sister Diana and I were excited to buy our tickets for every session of this year's Swim Trials a year in advance.  Taking place from June 25th to July 2nd, we're spending eight delightful days at the Century Link Center watching swimmers on The Road to London.

We are so proud to hear the national media talking about the greatness of Omaha.  Summer Sanders (former U.S. Olympic gold medalist and MC of the Swim Trials) praised Omaha for its passion and supportive environment for hosting sports, including the Swim Trials, the College World Series, the NCAA volleyball tournament, and the 2013 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.  The ambiance of the Century Link Center was exciting to say the least.  The lights go down during each event's medal ceremony, lights of the USA Swimming logo dance around, and a procession of Omaha models and a previous Olympian walk under a spotlight to the south side of the pool where the first place winner is welcomed to the U.S. Olympic team.  Names of swimmers and Olympic images appear in a falling fountain behind the moving stage which raises the winner up to the pool deck level like a rock star.  Fire shoots up from right outside the edge of the pool during each final race.  Ryan Lochte, the first swimmer to make the U.S. Olympic team, remarked that he looked over to the side of the pool during the breaststroke leg (of the 400 IM), saw fire, and was confused.  Soon after, Lochte proclaimed his love for fans in Omaha.

This 400 IM race, the first final of the Swim Trials, was our Day 1 highlight.  The hype and the deafening screams with the constant lead changes between Ryan Lochte (the eventual winner), Michael Phelps, and Tyler Clary was the perfect start to eight days on The Road to London.

 

Ryan Lochte, followed by Michael Phelps, then Tyler Clary in the Men's 400 IM final







Lochte & Phelps after the 400 IM

Our Day 2 highlight was the Men's 100 Breaststroke won by one of our favorite swimmers, Brendan Hansen (former Olympic medalist), who came out of retirement to compete in London.



Brendan Hansen, winner of the 100 Breaststroke, rises up on the moving stage to be welcomed to the Olympic team



In between the morning Swim Trials preliminary sessions and the evening finals sessions, we've enjoyed spending our time in the Aqua Zone.  Aqua Zone is a completely free, family-friendly fan experience held on the lower level of the Century Link Center.  Fans can meet athletes, play in simulated swim challenges, buy souvenirs from the Speedo store, and even ride a mechanical shark.  Aqua Zone is open every day through July 2nd from 11:00am to 7:00pm.  More information about Aqua Zone can be found on the USA Swimming website, http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=2338&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en

Diana and I have amused ourselves with making a list of superlatives for swimmers, which will be soon to come.  Please check back in with us!