The men's and women's U.S. Olympic Curling Trials begin this Saturday with eight teams, five on the men's side and three on the women's, vying for a chance to join Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
"We are absolutely thrilled to have the U.S. Team curling trials here in Omaha," Chris Kircher, the interim executive director of the Omaha Sports Commission, said.
Baxter Arena will host the trials and crews have been working around the clock to get the arena ready. Kircher said they are ready for the event because of the experience from hosting the Olympic Swim Trials in 2008, 2012 and 2016.
"It's really been a lot of fun to bring yet another Olympic sport here to Omaha, this time a winter sport," Kircher said.
Hosting the trials is a big deal. The event will be televised and seen across the country, showcasing how the City of Omaha and UNO come together to support major sporting events.
"It's an exciting time," UNO associate athletic director Mike Kemp said. "It draws great attention to our university."
