The trials to choose the US team for the London Games will be held June 25-July 2.

The 2008 trials were held at the Qwest Center for the first time, averaging more than 12,000 fans each night over eight days.

 

Nine world records were set in the temporary 50 metres competition pool.

 

Phelps used the Trials in 2008 as a launch-pad for Beijing, where he won a record eight gold medals, taking his career total to 14.

 

For 2012, a warm-up pool will also be installed inside the 17,000-seat Qwest Center in downtown Omaha.

 

The adjacent convention center will again host a 100,000-square-foot sponsor and fan experience area.

 

Chuck Wielgus, the USA Swimming executive director, said: “We are thrilled to bring the Olympic Trials back to Omaha in 2012.

 

"The 2008 Trials were a tremendous event, offering a fantastic experience for our athletes, fans, families and coaches.

 

"We look forward to not only re-creating that excitement, but building on it, and putting together an even better show in 2012.

 

"We are fortunate to have great partners in the Omaha Sports Commission, the US Olympic Committee (USOC), NBC and our corporate partner family, and together, I am confident that we will raise the bar on our sport’s marquee event.

 

“I also want to extend our sincere appreciation to the NCAA and College World Series of Omaha, Inc. for creating circumstances that will allow us to bring the Trials back to Omaha. Their flexibility and co-operation made it possible, and we are all looking forward to a great summer in 2012.”

 

Harley Schrager, the chairman of the Omaha Sports Commission (OSC), said: “The Omaha Sports Commission is proud to be able to bring this world class event back to Omaha in 2012.

 

"The manner in which our community embraced the Trials in 2008 made us work all the harder to create an encore performance.

 

"The positive economic impact on our community, as well as the public relations benefits Omaha enjoyed during and following the 2008 Trials, cannot be overstated.

 

"The Sports Commission has as its mission to bring amateur, scholastic and collegiate sporting events to Omaha. The Swim Trials exceeded our greatest expectations, and they will again in June of 2012.

 

"Gaining this event was a cooperative effort amongst several organizations and individuals, but I want to expressly offer sincere thanks to David Brown and the Omaha Chamber of Commerce for the important role they played.”
 

Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle said: “The return of the Olympic Swim Trials to Omaha in 2012 marks another tremendous success and opportunity for our city.

 

"The worldwide attention that the city received during the 2008 Swim Trials made tremendous strides in highlighting Omaha as a destination city.

 

"I am excited to be able to showcase our city again in 2012. This would not have been accomplished without collaboration between USA Swimming, the Omaha Sports Commission, the NCAA and many others and I thank all of these partners for turning their goal into a reality.

 

"This truly is evidence of what great things can happen when we all work together.”

 

Mike English, the USOC chief of performance, said: “In 2008, the city of Omaha successfully hosted a world-class sporting event and the city helped set the stage for USA Swimming’s eventual triumphs at the 2008 Olympic Games.

 

"With the return of the 2012 Trials, the USOC looks forward to working alongside the city of Omaha, the Qwest Center and USA Swimming to ensure an even better encore performance.

 

"On their road to London, US Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls can rest easy knowing that they’ll compete for a spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams in the nation’s best venues and in front of passionate fans.”