As Indianapolis jumps into the spotlight with the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swim Trials, a transformed Georgia Street pulsates with celebrations. According to CBS4 Indy, Friday night kicked off with a "starting block party" downtown echoing an atmosphere akin to Paris, complete with a 66-foot Eiffel Tower replica—a nod to the historical connection of the 1924 Olympics, also hosted in Paris.

An artificial turf swim-themed mural and the first Olympic pool inside an NFL stadium emphasize the grand scale of the event. In a boost to local pride and economy, fans from across the country have poured into the city, like Luke Martens from Chicago, who noted Indianapolis' vibrant sports legacy. Bringing the trials back to Indy after nearly a century, the city is not skipping a beat in amplifying the visitor experience.

Over at WTHR, Alissa Martin from Florida shared her admiration for the city's transformation and festivities catering to attendees. Indianapolis is out to impress with its restaurant and bar scene, embraced by visitors and locals alike.

Hyped about the trials, fans are enjoying live music, food, and additional events such dessert venues like Please & Thank You, as reported by WISH-TV, with operations manager Cameron Cousins aiming to be "day-makers" for the crowd.

Running until June 23, the trials aren't just about fast swim lanes and ticket sales. Viewing the competition as a mini-Olympics in itself, participants are set to witness what might be record-breaking performances, while the city is simultaneously angling to fill the stands and streets. With an estimation by Indiana Sports Corp. of 200,000 visitors, the sporting fever in Indianapolis appears to be just as intense as the athletes' competition in the pool. The culmination of these nine days will see 52 swimmers secure their place on Team USA for Paris, capping off an event that's as much about the city's showcase as it is about the sportsmanship on display.

Volunteering opportunities also abound, with incentives like earning a "gold medal" for contributing to the success of the trials, as per WISH-TV report. While diving into Olympic-sized ambitions, the city is serving up a celebration that might just position Indianapolis as a name synonymous with international sports prestige, according to sentiments expressed by Mayor Joe Hogsett and visitors like Blake Raynor who have seen nothing quite like it elsewhere. It's a pool party, with or without the water, and Team USA hopefuls are just the start of the show.