INDIANAPOLIS - Indianapolis will host three USA Diving events at the newly renovated IU Natatorium on the campus of IUPUI from 2019-2021 headlined by the return of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Diving in 2020. Indiana Sports Corp and IUPUI announced today that they were awarded the esteemed events by USA Diving and the United States Olympic Committee.
“On behalf of the city of Indianapolis, Indiana Sports Corp is excited to continue the rich tradition of hosting USA Diving’s prestigious events,” said Indiana Sports Corp President Ryan Vaughn. “Olympic events showcase Indianapolis on a global stage and the opportunity to partner with a local national governing body makes the event that much more special. We aim to provide athletes the best possible competitive experience as they achieve their goals.”
USA Diving will first come to Indianapolis with the 2019 USA Diving Senior National Championships taking place May 16-26. The Championships will feature 200 athletes.
For the seventh time in Indianapolis history, the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Diving arrives to the Circle City June 13-21. The event will determine the divers who will represent the United States at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The event will take place over the course of nine days with more than 120 of the nation’s best divers expected to vie for spots on the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team. Pending U.S. qualification into the Olympic field, competition will be conducted for both men and women in individual and synchronized 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform.
Indianapolis previously hosted the Trials in 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2008 and most recently in 2016. Prior to the 2016 Trials, the IU Natatorium underwent an extensive five phase renovation including an enhanced interior design and widening of the diving tower. The upcoming USA Diving events will feature a state-of-the-art video board that was added to the facility in 2017.
Closing out the three-year commitment, the 2021 USA Diving Junior National Championships will take place from July 29-August 4. More than 500 junior divers, ages 18 and under, will have the opportunity to compete one year later at the same venue 2020 Olympians qualified providing a motivational opportunity for these future Olympic hopefuls.
“We’re excited to partner with Indiana Sports Corp over the next three years. Indianapolis has a strong diving history, and having three key events here will provide great opportunities for our athletes and sport,” said Lee Johnson, USA Diving CEO. “Our 2019 national championships will provide divers a chance to compete in the same facility where they will aim to qualify for the Olympic Games a year later. Our junior divers also will have an opportunity to compete in the historic pool in 2021, providing motivation for those athletes as they look toward 2024 and 2028.”
Nearly 115 divers competed at the 2016 Trials in Indianapolis which received 19.5 hours of live coverage highlighted by eight nights in primetime, including six consecutive nights on NBCSN and two on NBC. Ten divers advanced to the Olympic Games Rio 2016, including hometown favorites David Boudia, Amy Cozad Magaña and Steele Johnson.
Ticket and volunteer opportunities for all three USA Diving events coming to Indianapolis can be found at www.WhereChampionsAreCrowned.com. As further information comes available, it will be added to the website listed above.
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About U.S. Olympic Team Trials: A collaboration between the United States Olympic Committee and its National Governing Bodies, U.S. Olympic Team Trials are held in multiple sports prior to each edition of the Olympic Games and allow athletes to vie for the honor of representing Team USA. Often the last stop in an athlete’s journey to the Olympics, the Trials also offer fans an up-close experience with America’s sports heroes before they go on to compete on the world’s biggest stage. Selection procedures for each sport are developed by the NGBs in concert with the USOC and follow parameters set forth by each International Federation.
About Indiana Sports Corp: Founded in 1979 as the nation’s first sports commission, Indiana Sports Corp is a not-for-profit organization focused on bringing premier sporting events to Indiana to drive economic vitality, facilitate a vibrant community with civic pride and garner positive media attention. Because of this, Indiana Sports Corp is able to provide positive, sports-related opportunities for youth in the community. For more information, please visit IndianaSportsCorp.org.
About USA Diving: Featuring America’s best divers, USA Diving is the national governing body for the sport of diving. Headquartered in Indianapolis, USA Diving offers diversified programs geared toward the broadest number of diving enthusiasts, from the novice to the world champion. USA Diving conducts approximately 25 regional and national events annually and is responsible for training and selecting teams that represent the United States at international events such as the Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cup. For additional information, visit www.teamusa.org/usa-diving.