Olympic Training Center Tour

This past weekend, we had the privilege of a visit from Susan, the director of the Service Adventure program. One of the many fun things we did together over the weekend was visit the U.S. Olympic Training Center!

This is one of three main Olympic Training Centers in the country. Chula Vista, CA mainly hosts athletes training for outdoor summer sports; Lake Placid, NY covers the outdoor winter sports. Colorado Springs gets the indoor summer sports.

Obviously we had to test our long-jump skills while waiting for the tour to start.

Walking between buildings on the 35-acre complex.

First stop: the shooting range. I didn't get a good picture of the training room because people were cleaning, but we did appreciate this sign. ("Please do not tap on glass. Please do not feed the shooters.")

Here we learned that Olympic sharpshooters train to fire not only between breaths, but between heartbeats.

Perfect day. Plus, snow-capped Pikes Peak in the distance.

Next stop: the wrestling gym.

This is the dorm-style building where the athletes stay for anywhere from a week to multiple years. Apparently Ryan Lochte is here right now, no big deal.

In another gym, there was a "Rising Stars" event going on for men's gymnastics. We got to see some insanely athletic, talented, and muscular 9- to 15-year-old boys in action.

 Here we are out front, practicing our sporty poses by the sculpture. (Daniel's luge-ing.)

And interacting with the props and cardboard cut-outs in the Olympic Hall of Fame room. We'd make a good bobsled team, right?

Yes. The answer is yes. Also, that eagle.

Teeny tiny, four-foot-nine Mary Lou Retton!

So much fun. Adding "Olympic Training Center" to my list of reasons why everyone should come visit the Springs immediately...