One year from now, the City of Omaha will host the best swimmers in the nation. The countdown started Friday for the U.S. Olympic trials.

Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey started a digital clock that will tick off the time until the trials begin.

The downtown ceremony featured three-time gold medalist Josh Davis who competed in the 1996 and 2000 summer games.

Davis swam one of his best races at the trials in 2000. He set an American record when he qualified in the 200 meter freestyle.

There is sometimes more drama at the trials than in the Olympics.

Davis says, "The intensity, the drama, the excitement, the adrenaline -- every night of the Olympic trials is unbelievable. You never know who's going to make the team. The place is going crazy."

Davis was the captain the U.S. team at the games in Sydney that won seven gold medals but he says the 2008 squad could be the best American team in history.

The United States Olympic swimming trials start on June 29, 2008 and run for eight days at Omaha's Qwest Center.