08.05.2024

Today’s Forecast

💪 Olympic circles, meet the Circle City

What would the Olympics look like in Indianapolis?

INDYtoday: INDY_Olympics beach volleyball Eiffel Tower_AUG24

You don’t have to be on the beach to play beach volleyball — the arena in Paris is set up right below the Eiffel Tower. | Photo by INDYtoday team

Picture this: Snoop Dogg running along the White River canal. Tyrese Hailburton atop the Conner Prairie hot air balloon, waving the stars and stripes during a thunderstorm. Simone Biles doing her gold medal-winning floor routine in the middle of the IMS track.

Now that the Paris 2024 Olympics are halfway through (which you can catch on WTHR), we’re dreaming of lighting the torch in Indy. What would the games look like in our hometown? Here are our wildest ideas.

Gymnastics

For one of the summer games’ most popular events, we’re heading to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Its downtown location makes it a perfectly accessible centerpiece for the Olympics, with 18,000 seats for spectators to witness the next rising superstar.

Athletics

Lucas Oil Stadium is the obvious choice here. But seeing as the host cities for the next few summer games are already confirmed, we’re looking to the future — and the possibility of a new MLS stadium in which track and field events could take place.

Rugby

Indy is already throwing its hat in the ring for hosting duties during the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup + the 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup with its planned renovations for Kuntz Stadium. The project reportedly calls for the seating capacity to increase to 8,000, the perfect audience size for some exciting yet intimate Olympic rugby matches.

Rowing

Unless the White River is suddenly going to get deeper, we’re gonna need a bigger body of water. Rowers could take to the 1900-acre Geist Reservoir, known for its smooth, clean (ahem, sorry Seine) waters.

An aerial rendering of the park — The land that is now Geist Waterfront Park used to be a quarry and industrial area.
|
Photo via Browning Day

Beach volleyball

Indy is full of open spaces where an arena could be erected, and we’re eyeing the open space in front of the Lilly House. Thanks to its location within Newfields, it’s already set up well for a small-sized Olympic event, with ticketed entry points, food + beverage offerings, and plenty of parking.

Let the games continue

Asked

If you had to compete in an Olympic event today without any new training, what would you choose?

A. I’ve got the right swagger for race walking
B. I’ll put all my practice on the gym’s rowing machine to good use
C. I’m the next pommel horse guy
D. Beer pong has prepared me for my table tennis moment

Hit the podium

Events

Monday, Aug. 5

Hatis Noit | Monday, Aug. 5-Friday, Aug. 9 | Times vary | Tube Factory artspace | $10 | Experience a unique musical journey created by Japanese voice artist Hatis Noit.
Pickleball at Bicentennial Unity Plaza | Monday, Aug. 5 | By reservation | Bicentennial Unity Plaza | $10 | The courts are open to pros + rookies alike to have fun and get active.

Tuesday, Aug. 6

State Fair Night Photography | Tuesday, Aug. 6 | 7-10 p.m. | Indiana State Fair Midway | $39 | Learn how to capture the lights of the State Fair midway at night.

Wednesday, Aug. 7

Mass Ave Margs and Murals | Wednesday, Aug. 7 | 6-9 p.m. | Condado | $39 | Pair a beautiful painting with build-your-own tacos — no artistic experience is required.
Indy Eleven vs. Rhode Island FC | Wednesday, Aug. 7 | 7 p.m. | Carroll Stadium | $10+ | It’s Mike Night at The Mike as the team aims to break the world record for the most people with the same first name gathered together.

Thursday, Aug. 8

S’mores on the Circle | Thursday, Aug. 8 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Monument Circle | $6+ | Taste some gourmet s’mores made by local chefs with all proceeds supporting Girl Scouts of Central Indiana.

Friday, Aug. 9

Drum Corps International 2024 Semi-finals | Friday, Aug. 9 | 1 p.m. | Lucas Oil Stadium | $39-$119 | Cheer on drum corps from all over the world at this annual event.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Olympics

As the Games continue, so does the success of Hoosier athletes. Matt Anderson + the US men’s volleyball team are entering the quarterfinals as the top seed, while Canyon Barry led the 3x3 basketball team to wins over France and China. Meanwhile, all eyes are on Cole Hocker as he prepares for the men’s 1500-meter final on Tuesday.

Traffic

Have opinions about the I-65 improvements underway in southeast Indianapolis? You can pick up + drop off comment forms at eight locations across the city through Friday, Aug. 9. See the list. (WISH)

Development

Construction is starting this summer on the 260-acre Wild Air development in Zionsville. The project will feature 386 single-family houses, 290 apartments, retail shopping, a senior-living community, and 30+ acres of outdoor space. (IBJ)

Active

Wicket news: The 30th Annual Wicket World of Croquet is coming up at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site on Saturday, Aug. 10. For the first time, general admission is free — but selling out quickly. Get your tickets.

Regional

You probably already know about the moon tree in front of the Indiana Statehouse, but did you know Indiana has received another lunar sapling? A sweetgum that traveled to the moon on the Artemis I mission will be officially unveiled on Friday, Aug. 9 at the Hayes Arboretum in Richmond. (WTHR)

Sports

As they navigate one of the world’s biggest sports stages, what can Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard learn from their Olympics run? Tony East gives his take.

Edu

Whether plotting out a path to a new career or dipping your toes in a new skill set (think: Artificial Intelligence in a digital age), now is the perfect time to browse University of Indianapolis’ MBA program options. Need help? We’ve got you covered.*

The Buy

The Buy 8.05.24 (Affiliate)

Bedsheets you won’t sweat through. We got you a deal on a sheet set that’s crisp, cool, and made with overheated sleepers in mind. Bonus: They’re also wrinkle-resistant and hypo-allergenic. Enjoy cooler nights, sleepers.

More worth The Buy

Answered

We asked what kind of wine you prefer. Here’s what you said:

Looking for a wine road trip? Try Oliver Winery in Bloomington. | Photo by @jealousyjane

Cabernet Sauvignon eked out a narrow victory with 16.7% of your vote.
Moscato and Sauvignon Blanc swirled into a tied second place, with 15% of the vote each.
At the bottom of the rankings were Syrah and Zinfandel, with just 1.7% of the vote each.
A couple of you poured your heart out to us and wrote in your faves, including Mad Dog 20/20 and Malbec.

Where to get locally-made wines

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Shea

From the editor

I’m back from my Euro trip, during which I proudly sported my Visit Indy tee. If during your Olympics viewing you spotted a woman with pink hair getting way too heated on the table tennis courtside, I have no alibi.

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