Elite swimmers compete in East Meadow

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Hundreds of elite swimmers from across the country visited East Meadow earlier this month, as the United States Synchronized Swimming Junior Olympics Championship was held at the Nassau County Aquatic Center in Eisenhower Park from June 25 to July 2.

County Executive Ed Mangano and the Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission said before the event that the championship was expected to generate more than $2 million in economic benefit for Nassau. More than 1,000 athletes and their family and friends descended on the region; Mangano said they benefitted the economy by going to local hotels, restaurants and retail centers.

“We are honored to host the U.S. Synchronized Swimming Junior Olympics here on Long Island,” said Kristen Jarnagin, president and chief executive officer of the Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission, said. “This prestigious nine-day event not only injects $2 million into our local economy and increases job offerings in the hospitality and sporting industry, but it also brings our community further together — supporting a great cause.”

The Nassau County Aquatic Center regularly hosts major swimming and diving competitions, according to the county. The 80,000-square-foot center includes a “stretch” 50-meter pool that is 68 meters long, with three movable bulkheads. The pool setup varies, with 50-meter, 25-yard and/or 25-meter lap lanes, depending on the pool setup.

The facility hosts a diving well with a 10-meter competition diving tower the only such tower in New York metropolitan area – and 1-meter and 3-meter springboards. The seating area can accommodate up to 1,700 spectators.

Locals and visitors alike flocked to the East Meadow facility to watch the young swimmers — all under age 19 — compete for a chance to attend the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.