Swim Trials is a Boost to Omaha’s Economy
By Aaron Bonderson 
, Reporter/Producer Nebraska Public Media
June 9, 2021, 2:31 p.m. ·
The economy in Omaha should be seeing a boost during the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials in downtown Omaha.
Josh Todd, executive director of the Omaha Sports Commission, which organizes the swim trials, said there’s more even more opportunity because this year’s trials were drawn out over a longer period of time.
“The length of the event and the sheer amount of swimmers and coaches and parents that come into town, that’s what makes such a huge economic impact,” he said. “We were on pace for about $100 million economic impact in 2020.”
There are two waves of swimmers competing for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games at CHI Health Center in Omaha this summer. Wave one concluded last weekend, and wave two is scheduled for all of next week, June 13-20.
Crowd capacity has been limited to 65 % for both waves, but Todd says there were about 1,200 people in attendance each night of the first wave. He said he expects a better crowd for the second wave.
Todd says there are about 1,400 swimmers that will compete in Omaha by the end of next week. In addition, the men’s College World Series begins in Omaha as the swim trials come to a close, which experts say will further benefit Omaha’s businesses.