World’s finest swimmers heading to Carmel in October

CARMEL — In simply over a month, a few of the finest swimmers on this planet will arrive in Carmel for the Aquatics World Cup, a worldwide competitors set to happen at Carmel High School’s brand-new natatorium.

The $55 million facility, which opened lower than a yr in the past, will host elite athletes, together with Olympic medalists Kate Douglas and Regan Smith.

“We are being so spoiled by the level of talent that is coming to Carmel for the World Cup,” mentioned Maggie Mestrich of Carmel Swim Club. “This meet brings the global talent that we’re used to seeing at the Olympics right here to Carmel.”

Carmel High School Athletics Director Jim Inskeep mentioned internet hosting a world occasion was not the unique objective of the brand new facility, however an thrilling alternative nonetheless.

“It’s one of the offshoots of having a facility like this,” Inskeep mentioned.

“But that wasn’t the dream of, ‘Hey, let’s build something and host an international event.’ It was, ‘How are we going to be able to support our swimmers and families daily?’”

The competitors is an element of a bigger celebration all through the town, which is able to as soon as once more embrace the title of “Swim City USA,” as it did during the 2024 Olympic Games.

“We’re rebranding again to be Swim City USA, like we did during Olympic trials and last summer,” Mestrich said.

“So there will be some fun things happening in downtown Carmel.”

Inskeep said the event is about more than just the races.

“I would just encourage anyone that’s coming to this, just don’t come for a session of swimming,” Inskeep said. “There’ll be a late night on Main going on, and a lot of restaurants and other businesses taking part in it. So it’s truly a big event for our city.”

For Carmel, which has produced countless high-level swimmers over the years, the World Cup is the chance to showcase the city’s passion for the sport on a global stage.

“This is a community that supports this sport as a whole and is excited about swimming,” Mestrich said.

“I think we knew that a global event was in our future, but I think to have it within the first year of our brand new natatorium being open, that’s beyond our wildest expectations.”

“Go big or go home, right?” Inskeep added.

“This is going to be really, really exciting for us.”

Tickets for the full session can be purchased right here.

Individual session tickets go on sale in September.