Davis Tarwater, USA Swimming photo
Some of the biggest names in the Olympics are right here in Knoxville this week.
Everyone is invited to watch Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, and the rest of the U.S. Olympic Swim Team practice Thursday morning.
The team includes two locals: Davis Tarwater and Claire Donahue.
The team has been in town all week practicing at the Allan Jones Aquatic Center on UT campus in closed practices, but they will open to the public for two hours Thursday.
Doors open at 8 a.m. and the public is allowed in for one hour.
1,200 people in all will be able to go inside.
Olympians will also be training in the outdoor pool on Andy Holt Avenue from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m where spectators can watch from outside the gate.
Local swim teams are especially excited about watching their idols in person.
"Just to be in the same building as them is like a dream. It's going to be so incredible," said Village Green Swim Team member, Maddie Stephens.
The 200 member Village Green swim team is getting in line early-- in hopes of being one of the 1,200 people able to watch the athletes in action.
"We just felt like it was an incredible learning opportunity for the kids on our team. How often do you get to say we get to go see not only the best swimmers in the country but in the world," said Village Green Swim coach Sarah Fortney.
"If I were one of them I would think it was amazing to know that so many teams, not just ours are cheering for them and that would inspire me if I were one of them," said Morgan Records, a young swimmer.
In preparation, the team created a large flag with each of their hand prints.
They plan to wave it proudly at the event, but the goal is have the Olympians take it with them to the games.
"I would love to see the flag in London. If it got to London, I would probably start crying," said Stephens.
But even if the flag doesn't make it, their coach says seeing local athletes fulfill their dreams is worth the trip.
"With Claire [Donahue] and Davis [Tarwater] both being from the Knoxville area, to see they had the dream and they had a way to get there I think definitely instills in these kids if I believe I can do -- anything can happen," said Coach Fortney.
Village Green is planning on 100 or so of their swimmers attending.
Donahue's home team, Blount Area Swim Team is also taking a big group.
Seating at the event is first come, first serve.