With the summer Paralympics in full swing, and the 2008 summer Olympics just a few short weeks behind us, we'd like to highlight the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. While much of the nation devoted two weeks on their couches to watch the games, most of the athletes have year round, years-long training schedules.
Olympic Strength sculpture; see detail below
The Colorado Springs center sent 45 of their resident athletes to the summer Olympic games, and 12 of their resident athletes to the Paralympics. Many other competitors passed through the Colorado Springs OTC at some point, for the quality of the training and the chance to practice at high altitude. The complex can house up to 557 athletes and coaches at one time. Twelve sports also have their national headquarters at the complex.
Our city hosts one of just three national traning centers - the others are in Lake Placid, New York, and Chula Vista, CA, although the Colorado Springs Olympic Complex is also home to the U.S. Olympic Committee and is the headquarters for the national Olympic training programs. These training centers are an integral part of our country's success at the Olympic games.
Approximately 140,000 people visit the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center each year, and it's a very worthwhile outing. Sports buffs shouldn't miss the Olympic Hall of Fame (and everyone should check out the hall's rooftop terrace). Try to make it Monday through Saturday, when free guided hourly tours start at 9am (last tour at 4 pm). Even on Sundays, when there aren't any tours, you can stroll the Irwin Belk Olympic Path and enjoy the beautiful Carol Grotnes Belk Sculpture Garden. The Olympic Spirit Store is open daily until 6pm, so you can stock up on unique gifts and gear and support the Olympic efforts.
The Olympic Complex is located east of Downtown, at 1750 E. Boulder St., at the corner of Union Blvd. by Memorial Hospital. Groups of 10 or more need to call 719-866-4656 for reservations. Visit the tour web page or call 888-659-8687 for more information. Sunday visitor hours begin at 11 am, and tours are held more frequently during the summer months.
Ken and Sandy Wickham are long-time Realtors in beautiful Colorado Springs, CO. They welcome your real estate inquiries; to contact them call 800-599-8500 ext. 1120 or 719-534-7919.
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