Could Ryan Lochte and Missy Franklin be headed our way?
As announced last month, San Antonio is one of six U.S. cities in the running to host the 2016 Olympic U.S. Swim Team Trials to take place just weeks before the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
This past week, San Antonio Sports launched an online campaign dubbed "I'M IN!" to rally support for the bid. The website features a video by Mayor Julian Castro proclaiming just how great a host our city would be, an artists' rendition of the proposed swimming pool at the Alamodome, as well as the option to opt IN! yourself.
If enough supporters sign the petition by the time that USA Swimming officials travel to our city on the 20th of this month for a site visit, we might have a fighting chance at seeing Lochte taking selfies by the Riverwalk in just a few short years. Those who proclaim themselves "IN!" will have the chance to buy tickets before they are released to the public as well as an opportunity to register early as a volunteer.
The iconic Alamodome would host the event, placing the temporary Olympic pool, two warm up pools and locker rooms where the Spurs' court used to lay.
San Antonio has hosted the Junior Olympics, an Olympic festival, the NCAA final fours and volleyball final fours in the past, setting new records in attendance and ticket sales with every event. Also an advantage is The Alamo Area Aquatics Association, one of the largest in the country.
Greensboro, N.C.; Indianapolis; Jacksonville, Fla.; Omaha, Neb. (where 2012 swim trials were hosted); and St. Louis are others on the short list.
The host city is expected to be announced at the end of April. Are you in?
