On a three day weekend trip to Colorado Springs, we spent some time at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center. It was eye opening to see their phenomenal center and all they do to train for their specific Olympic event. I wasn’t really sure what to expect when we first decided to visit, but I have to say I was quite impressed.
The Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center is the flagship training center for the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Olympic Training Center programs. USA Swimming and USA Shooting have their national headquarters on complex. provide housing, dining, training facilities, recreational facilities and other services for more than 500 athletes and coaches at one time on the complex.
Besides the sports listed above, they are also home to sport facilities and support services for the following summer Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American sports: Boxing, Cycling (Olympic and Paralympic) Figure skating, Gymnastics, Paralympic Judo, Pentathlon, Shooting (Olympic and Paralympic), Paralympic Swimming, Weightlifting and Wrestling.
Apparently there are roughly 140,000 people who visit the US Olympic Training Center each year. There are public tours available year-round Monday – Saturday. The tour starts with an inspirational 12-minute film and then a 45-minute outdoor walking tour of the training complex, including the weightlifting and wrestling facilities, the Aquatics Center and the Sport Center Gymnasiums. While visiting, you can explore their U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Rotunda, shop at the U.S. Olympic Store and check out their ever-changing art exhibitions found throughout the Olympic Visitor Center.
When we first got there, we walked around the grounds a little bit and looked at some of the sculptures they have on display. I also liked all the flags they have around the campus. Of course the most impressive is the huge globe sculpture. Took several pictures as we walked around and imagined how thrilling it would be for the athletes seeing it for the first time.
Eventually we made our way in and tour the took. Below is current info (August 2016) on the tours price and hours, as well as a Toll-Free Information Number: 888-659-8687.
SUMMER TOUR HOURS – June 1 – August 15
Monday – Saturday: Tours are conducted each 1/2 hour. The first tour begins at 9:00 a.m. The last tour departs at 4:30 p.m. No tour offered at noon.
Sunday: U.S. Olympic Shop and Visitor Center open 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. No guided tours. Film starts each ½ hour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
FALL / WINTER TOUR HOURS – August 16 – May 31
Monday – Saturday: Tours of the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center are conducted each hour beginning at 9:00 a.m. The last tour departs at 4:00 p.m. Closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Holidays.
Sunday: U.S. Olympic Shop and Visitor Center open 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. No guided tours. Film starts each ½ hour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost:
General Admission
- Adults – $12
- Senior Citizens & Military Members – $10
- Children ages 5 to 12 – $8
- Children ages 4 and under – FREE
The Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center was definitely the highlight of our trip to Colorado Springs, and should definitely be on your to-do list when in the area. We were even lucky enough to spend a few minutes talking to some possible future Olympians, which was probably the actual highlight, lol I was shocked at how young they were. They were preparing for the Olympics which were more than 4 years away. Good luck to those young ladies.
