Swimming in stadiums becomes the norm as sport sets up in a rugby arena for 2024 Paris Olympics

The swimming pool for Olympic competitions is seen in the Paris La Defense Arena in Nanterre, outside Paris, Monday July 5, 2024. The Paris La Defense Arena will host the swimming and some water polo events during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The swimming pool for Olympic competitions is seen in the Paris La Defense Arena in Nanterre, outside Paris, Monday July 5, 2024. The Paris La Defense Arena will host the swimming and some water polo events during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. (Bertrand Guay/ Pool via AP)


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NANTERRE, France — The main swimming pool for the Paris Olympics is set up in a 30,000-seat rugby stadium on the city's western edge, Sound strange? Not really. More and more, the biggest meets are being held in massive venues that could provide a boost to the sport's popularity in non-0lympic years. The U.S. Olympic trials were held this year at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, a 63,000-seat venue that is normally the home of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. The event broke numerous attendance records, drawing 285,202 fans over nine days — including 22,209 for one session. Just as important, it appeared to be an event that grew the sport beyond its hard-core fan base.

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Paul Newberry

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