Colorado Springs Vintage Homes Blog
719.287.1049
33 Unique things to do in Colorado Springs…#3
The Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs
Search for Homes in Colorado Springs
With the Beijing Summer Olympics in full force, now might be a great time to discuss one of Colorado Springs
gems. The city is home to The Olympic Training Center. You can take a tour and visit the site where many of our athletes live and train. Its had quite a history. Here’s a few highlights:
- 1976-President Gerald Ford’s commission on Olympic Sports allows the USOC to find a new home
after the the continuing squabbles between NCAA and the AAU.
- 1977-USOC selects Colorado Springs for its national headquarters and takes over the old ENT Air Force Base and establishes The Olympic Training Center with Bob Mathias at its helm. The first athletes arrived in August. El Pomar gives $1 million to seal the deal. Also, that year the IOC selects Los Angeles to host the 1984 Summer Olympics.
- 1978- More than 25 National Governing Bodies relocate to Colorado Springs and the USOC budget is $19 million.
- 1980-Winter Olympics are held in Lake Placid, New York with the hockey team being called “The Miracle on Ice”. Also in 1980, President Carter demands that the US boycott the Summer Olympics in Moscow unless Moscow departs Afghanistan. Later that year, the USOC indeeds votes not to participate in the summer games. In 1980, the USOC receives the deed to the Olympic Complex, and USOC ’s funds dry up and the organization faces bankruptcy. President Carter authorizes a $10 million grant that is not received until 1981 when President Regan is in office.
- 1983-Colorado Springs hosts the Sports Festival after San Diego decides not to host it. USOC builds first new facilities in Colorado Springs, a large multi-sport complex with six gyms and seating for 3000. They also build the 7-11 cycling velodrome in Memorial Park.
- 1984-USOC backs the Los Angeles Summer Olympics games with a $25 million shortfall guarantee after the Russian Federation chooses not to participate in the summer games. Games wind up with a $227 million surplus and the USOC creates the US Olympic Foundation and financial health is finally restored to the USOC.
- 1986-1999-The USOC enjoys its greatest period of growth.
- 1996- Atlanta hosts the Centennial Olympic games which produces record revenue
- 1997-USOC opens new facilities in the Colorado Springs complex including athlete housing, new dining facilities, a field house, aquatics center, sports medicine center and a new state-of-the art visitor center. Today, more than 8000 athletes use the facility.
- 2002-Salt Lake City hosts the Winter Olympics and has its best finish in history (2nd overall in metal count).
- 2003-Colorado Springs and USOC celebrate its 25th anniversary of having its home in the city.
- 2004-After major reforms, the USOC board is down to 11 members from its high of 125.
- 2006-Colorado Springs is named a USOC community partner after raising $250,000.
- 2007- 30th anniversary of the Colorado Springs US Olympic Training Center and USOC names a building after the late Bob Mathias who was so instrumental in creating the center.
- 2008-USOC selects Colorado Springs to be its national headquarters for the next 25 years after acceptance of the city’s incentive package, including a downtown building which they can lease and then eventually take title to. Ten cities were vying for the honor. USOC will allow the city to use the rings in its advertising. Michael Phelps becomes the first athlete in history to win 8 gold metals at the Beijing Games.
Olympic Visitor Center
The Olympic Visitor Center is the primary support facility serving the general public which provides information about U.S. athletes in training, the USOC, U.S. Olympic Training Centers and the Olympic Movement. The building includes the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, an indoor reception area, an Olympic retail store and a 225-seat auditorium. Free public tours are conducted daily by the USOC Tour Program staff. The U.S. Olympic Spirit Store offers Olympic sports merchandise and gift items, which are also available on the web. The tour includes a walk along the Irwin Belk Olympic Path, visits to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame rotunda and roof-top terrace, which offers an Olympic flame display and panoramic views of the entire complex and of beautiful Colorado Springs.
For information on tours at the Visitor Center, call (719) 866-4644 or 1-888-659-8687.
If you enjoyed reading this article, why not Subscribe to be notified of the next one?
Kathy (719-287-1049) KTorline@msn.com
