USA Swimming, after hearing from a number of displeased coaches, have added time trials back into the Olympic Trials schedule on a limited basis. Trials will be held on June 27th and June 28th (Wednesday and Thursday) and then again during the morning of the final day (Monday, July 2nd) of the meet, when no other races are swum.
This decision comes just two days after first announcing that they would cut them out altogether. Though there are plenty of opinions on either side about the value of time trials at the meet, the strongest opinions have to do with the timing of the announcement – just two weeks before trial began.
There will be a total of 5.5 hours of time trials offered over the week. USA Swimming did say that they sought out other facilities at which to hold trials, but were unsuccessful.
The full information is below.
We have heard from quite a few coaches who were unhappy with time trials being cancelled. We understand this displeasure as the decision was made less than two weeks before Trials. Therefore, we have modified the position and will allow time trials on a limited basis. The following schedule will be used for time trials:
Time Trials Schedule:
June 25 No time trials
June 26 No time trials
June 27 60-90 minutes of time trials (more will be known once we have a timeline for prelims on this day) – likely starting about 1:00 p.m.
June 28 60-90 minutes of time trials (more will be known once we have a timeline for prelims on this day) – likely starting about 1:00 p.m.
June 29 No time trials
June 30 No time trials
July 1 No time trials
July 2 Time trials from 8:00 – 10:30 a.m.Time Trials will be kept to the above time limits in order to keep afternoon training times open in both pools for athletes in the meet. As you may recall, we have requested that if your athlete has an off day, that you strongly consider training during the afternoon period to allow those athletes swimming on that day as much warm-up space as possible. For this reason, we are trying to keep the 2:30 – 5:00 p.m. time period open each day.
We did make efforts to find space for time trials at another venue in Omaha, Council Bluffs or Lincoln, but no facility was viable.
Thanks to all of you for your patience with this. It is clearly not a perfect situation or solution, but think this will help out those that had made travel plans believing that time trials would take place.
2008 Olympic Trials,my swimmer was at the pool at 6 am on the days that she wasn’t swimming so she could train without a crowd.I was proud of her because she didn’t even have a coach there with her.She didn’t complain just got in and worked out.She also was able to get in to the massage room without a problem that way, because others were just getting there when she was leaving the pool.Then we would leave for breakfast and see some sites in Omaha(Great Zoo and a Drive through Wilderness area with Buffaloes and Wolves nearby)Great restaurants….we would nap and get back for FInals and it was an incredible experience.
Make this more than a regular swim meet.Plan… Read more »
I see one problem with time trials that no one has mentioned. Warm ups during prelims and finals will no doubt be limited to those swimming in that session. So the swimmers not swimming on a particular day will be limited to warming up between sessions. Time trials will drastically cut into that time. Those of you that say that time trials won’t effect anyone not participating in the time trials are wrong.
The Time Trials are back….good job.Now time for the complaints to stop and everyone to make it work.Attitude is everything.Coaches and Parents should not complain any longer.Swimmers are looking up to you to determine how to deal with circumstances..Focus on the positive and go from there.Use the time spent in the stands to show the younger swimmers what a privilege they have to be there, how their hard work and determination and focus has not only earned them a spot at Olympic Trials but the opportunity to learn from the PRO’s.
This will afford Coaches and Parents so many teachable moments.Have fun, and enjoy the experience.Don’t let the hiccups in the schedule sidetrack you.We are blessed to have 2000… Read more »
Well said, Swim MA
The issue was not whether time trials would be held or not; the problem was axing them 2 weeks before the start of the meet. Reversing the decision four days later (now 10 days before the meet starts) only confirms the poor decision making ability at USA Swimming. What a joke.
If they also could remove Justin Bieber and all the other poor music of the moment for young people from their playlists before the sessions, during the sessions and after the sessions it would be very good. Imagine 4 hours with Justin Bieber between each heat. People will become crazy.
Right there with you on the Justin Bieber music Bobo Gigi .I wonder who is in charge of the play lists.
How will the time trials at The trials be conducted?
USA Swimming, thank you for your efforts to stick with what was originally communicated while trying to keep the meet manageable for all. It takes a grown man to admit a mistake; thank you.
So now what happens to all those people who paid $$$ to change their flights.