We are so glad we made a visit to the U.S. Olympic Training Center. After the short intro video -- which will give you chills -- a current athlete took us on a guided tour around the facility. We were able to see athletes practice in the shooting range, the weight room, the pool and a new cross-training facility.
I expected to see something more than a video and buildings but that is about it. If you are really into the Olympics I would say to go visit but we didn't see anyone training or Olympians walking around.
The good: when we went through it was free. If you go earlier in the day you are more likely to see the athletes training, and the tour is quite interesting. The bad: Apparently it is no longer free, but now they charge a small fee to take the tour. Still, it is pretty interesting and it may be a worthwhile, especially with the training ramping up for the upcoming Olympics.
This is where we train team USA and what a facility. Wish we had more time to look around. Hope to get back again in the future!!
I've been lucky enough to participate in guided tours buy staff and docents at the center. They have a great deal of knowledge about the entire center. It's always inspiring to visit and many times you'll find an opportunity to watch the athletes working out. Awesome and humbling experience.
Great way to experience the Olympic lifestyle right here in Colorado Springs. Several sports train year around at the training center and can be seen during the week, tremendous amount of Olympic history and factoids to be learned. Best part, FREE admission.
On the tour we were able to see training facilities for athletes, learned about the lifestyle while at the center.
First of all I have to admit I'm partial, my daughter Nikki works in the gift shop, make sure you say hi to her. We did not go on the tour, instead our daughter gave us a private tour. Very nice facility be prepared for walking, wear comfortable shoes.
The tour is $5 for adults. It starts with a movie that hypes you about the Olympics then you tour the "campus." We went in the afternoon and the area seemed dead. The tour is mostly looking into windows or going into an empty gym. Obviously the facilities are nice but you are really just going from a tennis court to a wrestling matt area to peering into the window of the pool. Maybe if I was a bigger sports buff I would have enjoyed it more.
Lot of good memories since this site used to be Ent Air Force Base before conversion to the training site. It's great when a no longer military installation is converted to useful purpose rather than left to abandonment. (I took an oral surgery course there in 1970 and remembered it well). It's a great walk-thru center with all sorts of memorable olympic events and modern training facilities for both Summer & Winter Olympians. Everyone should see if who has even a slight interest in our national Olympic teams.