OLYMPIC GAMES 101

The Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado is very busy this year with the 2012 London Olympics' right around the corner. Many athletes are trying to qualify for their sports or working out to stay on TEAM USA this Spring.

The teams are being named and qualifying is at an all time high, hard work outs, for these athletes. The CSOTC has athletes from many sports and can they eat a lot of food. 

OTC Resident Athletes are in the top 10-15% of their sport(s) in the US. Each athlete’s respective NGB identifies them as an Olympic caliber or Olympic development and they are selected to live and train at the OTC. There are a certain number of resident beds allocated each year for resident spots. Although there are many athletes also training here, this roster only contains resident athletes living at the CSOTC.

The U.S. Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs is the flagship training center for the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Olympic Training Center programs. USA Swimming and USA Shooting, both USOC member organizations known as national governing bodies, have their national headquarters on the complex. Over 15 other member organizations, as well as two international sports federations and the USOC headquarters are located nearby in Colorado Springs.

There are 12 different sports housed or participate at the OTC in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The USA Wrestling, Weightlifting, Gymnasts, Fencing, Shooting, Pentathlon, workout at the OTC in Colorado Springs and the Triathlon, Track and Field, Paralympics Shooting, Paralympics Cycling and Paralympics Judo are featured at the OTC.

The Olympic Complex, former home of ENT Air Force Base and the headquarters of the North American Defense Command officially became USOC administrative headquarters in July 1978. In 2010, the USOC moved its administrative offices from the complex to a new, modern facility in downtown Colorado Springs.

In October 1996 and April 1997, the USOC officially dedicated and opened its new $23.8 million, Phase II facilities-a state-of-the-art sports medicine and sport science center, an athlete center, which includes a dining hall and two residence halls. The USOC is able to provide housing, dining, recreational facilities and other services for up to 557 coaches and athletes at one time on the complex.

Some of the USA Athletes wonder into the nearby cities and areas. Some of their experiences include the “Incline” in Manitou Springs, Colorado or maybe “Pikes Peak” climbs up a huge mountain.

There is the “Garden of the Gods” about five miles away from OTC that many athletes walk the trails and sometimes climb the steep mountains. There are many hiking trails and great bike trails in the nearby area.

The Incline: Looking for that amazing workout that will really get your heart pumping? Look no further than the Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs!

The Manitou Incline is a 0.9 mile grade that once served people who wanted to travel up Mt. Manitou to enjoy the beautiful view looking toward the plains and city of Colorado Springs. In the early 1990's, the incline operation closed but the path and ties remain, and over time it become a popular spot for hikers, Olympic trainers or anyone serious about getting into shape.

It is the highest set of stairs in the world. The elevation gain is more than the Empire State Building at 2200 feet. This is a wonderful experience however, it must be noted that this landmark is technically located on private property. Although many travelers still choose to hike the Incline, they are doing so at their own risk of injury and or legal predicaments. Users are at their own risk; discretion is advised.  

Pikes Peak: Looking for something unique about Colorado Springs? Well simply tilt your head to the west and aim your neck upward to see beautiful Pike’s Peak  The most visited mountain in North America and the second most visited mountain in the world behind Japan's Mount Fuji, Pikes Peak forms a stunning backdrop for Colorado Springs and the Garden of the Gods. At an altitude of 14,110 feet above sea level, Pikes Peak is the 31st highest peak out of 54 Colorado peaks. 

It is the farthest east of the big peaks in the Rocky Mountain chain, which contributed to its early fame among explorers, pioneers and immigrants and made it the symbol of the 1859 Gold Rush to Colorado with the slogan, "Pikes Peak or Bust".

Over a half million people reach the summit house every year by the Pikes Peak Highway, many of whom take the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. The 19-mile Pikes Peak Highway, paved part of the way, is open year round, weather permitting.

Barr Trail is the longest of any trails leading to the top of the 54 mountains in Colorado that are over 14,000 feet, and offers the greatest base-to-summit elevation gain in the state: 7,400 feet. About 15,000 people a year attempt to climb Pikes Peak on foot. The 13-mile trail begins at the base of Pikes Peak in Manitou Springs. The 8.9 mile cog railroad typically operates April through December.

Three notable events take place on the mountain each year. The Pikes Peak Marathon, a 26 mile round trip foot race up Barr Trail and then back down each August, draws thousands of runners from all over the world. The top round trip finishing time is three hours and 16 minutes.

The second event, the Pikes Peak Auto Hill Climb on Saturday in July is a race on the 12.42 mile gravel road which starts around the 6 1/2 mile mark on the highway. Rod Millen from New Zealand holds the fastest time record since 1994, 10 minutes and 4.6 seconds. The third event is the AdAmAn Club New Years Fireworks display on December 31, 12:00 a.m.

Garden of the Gods: An enormous public park, 770 acres (312 hectares), central Colo., near Colorado Springs; noted for its unusual, multicolored rock formations. Narrow-crested sandstone hills and ridges have been eroded into fascinating groups with such fanciful names as Kissing Camels. Gray Rock serves as a natural amphitheater.

Visitors can take this free journey through one of nature’s greatest creations right from their own car. The 3 mile stretch of road travels through a small area of the Rocky Mountains which plays home to some of the most unusual and breathtaking rock formations in the world. There are many easy trails around the park and horseback riding is even an option.

This adventure is free for anyone. There is a visitor center and gift shop located near the beginning of the park which contains a few things to do for a varying cost.  This site is an absolute must athletes to visit while they are training here at the CSOTC.  

Skiing: Colorado is very well known for its ski and snowboard resorts. If you're here during the winter, this is always a great weekend getaway. Typically, the snow season in Colorado for the Rocky Mountains starts in mid-November and goes through March. There are numerous resorts throughout the state that offer a wonderful experience unlike that of any other.

The CSOTC has a lot of cool things to see like the video's inside the auditorium of the Olympics and athletes for TEAM USA and others. There is also many athletes to see and the walk way through the complex with a great shop of many neat gifts. 

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