COLORADO SPRINGS – USA Swimming announced today that the Duel in the Pool will be returning to Indianapolis. The event, which debuted at the IU Natatorium at IUPUI in 2003 as a battle between the U.S. and Australia, will take place this Dec. 11-12 in Indy.
The 2015 version of the meet will continue the European All-Stars versus Team USA setup, with the U.S. having a 6-0 record in the duel thus far. Although, last year, it took a tie-breaker to win the event against the Europeans.
“Over the past 12 years, this event has proven to be one of the most exciting events on the international swimming calendar,” USA Swimming National Team Director Frank Busch said.
In the initial event in Indy, the U.S. trounced Australia, 196-74. At that meet, a 17-year-old Michael Phelps set the world record in the 400-meter IM.
Phelps could potentially earn a spot on the roster again since his suspension will be up this April. The rosters for both Team USA and Europe will not be released until October.
The meet will be televised by NBC a week later on Dec. 19 with a total of 30 events and more than $120,000 in prize money.
“Mutual of Omaha is excited to once again bring the world’s best swimmers together in a head-to-head competition as undefeated Team USA takes on the European All-Stars,” said Mutual of Omaha Senior Vice President John Hildenbiddle. “With its thrilling competition and great coverage on NBC, the Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool builds excitement and enthusiasm for swimming leading up to the 2016 Olympic Games.”
The iconic Indiana University Natatorium was the site of the inaugural Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool in 2003, with the U.S. topping Australia by a score of 196-74. It is one of the foremost swimming venues in America, hosting such events as the 1984, 1992, 1996 and 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, as well as eight USA Swimming National Championships.
Year-By-Year Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool Final Scores
2013: U.S. 132 European All-Stars 131 (Glasgow, Scotland)
2011: U.S. 181.5 European All-Stars 80.5 (Atlanta, Ga.)
2009: U.S. 185 E-Stars 78 (Manchester, England)
2007: U.S. 181.5 Australia 129.5 (Sydney, Australia)
2005: U.S. 190 Australia 102 (Irvine, Calif.)
2003: U.S. 196 Australia 74 (Indianapolis, Ind.)
United States: 3-0 vs. Australia, 3-0 vs. Europe
I miss swimming
Lane 2 from the right side is very late….