Civic and business leaders have stepped up with Mayor Alvin Brown in a call for community support, as Jacksonville seeks to host the 2016 US Swimming Olympic Trials. The event features the nation’s top swimmers to determine who will represent Team USA in Rio de Janiero for the Games of the XXXI Olympiad.

Video: Mayor and City Leaders Announce Jacksonville's Bid for US Swimming Olympic Trials

“We are excited to be under consideration to host the 2016 US Swimming Olympic Trials,” said Mayor Alvin Brown. “As we’ve seen so many times in recent years, swimming is one of America’s strongest sports and hosting this event would make a major impact throughout our community. We would be proud to serve as a proving ground for these elite athletes, and I am confident in our city’s ability to help produce a program that would entertain and inspire thousands of fans. Jacksonville is an ideal destination for sporting events, and just like we’ve seen with the Jaguars, the Florida-Georgia game, the US Soccer exhibitions and many others, the Trials would be embraced by everyone in the community.”