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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Colorado Springs is America’s Olympic City, and the name reflects the strong ecosystem of committees and governing bodies headquartered here. This is a partnership that both the City of Colorado Springs and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee are proud of.
The USOPC owns and operates the United States Olympic and Paralympic Training Center.a spokesperson said news 5 Both organizations said there were “no conversations” about leaving town.
Jesse Kimber, economic development director for the city of Colorado Springs, echoed the same message.
Colorado Springs has been the home of the United States Olympic Committee since 1978. Colorado Springs Sports Corporation was instrumental in the organization’s relocation here from New York.
“Our passion and values are deeply rooted in everything we do at Team USA,” said Megan Leatham, president and CEO of Colorado Springs Sports Corporation.
When asked if he had heard anything about a possible relocation, he replied, “Not at all.”
“You know, here in Colorado Springs, we have a history of over 40 years, if not longer, in the Olympic and Paralympic movement,” Leatham said.
She said the Sports Corporation is actively working to attract more sports organization headquarters to the town. For example, they are currently negotiating with the Edmonton, Alberta-based World Dodgeball Federation.
In addition to the USOPC, Colorado Springs is home to 26 of the 52 national governing bodies (NGBs) that oversee individual sports within Team USA.
Davis Tutt is director of sports tourism and Olympic initiatives for Colorado Springs Sports Corporation. Before he joined Sports Corporation, he worked in his NGB services division at USPOC.
He explained that Team USA’s athletes come from all 50 states. The city wants them all to train here, but most are preparing to compete at facilities and venues closer to home.
“Athletes train at a variety of venues, many of which are in their own backyards,” Tutt said. “And he’s one of the reasons Team USA is the best in the world is in the NCAA pipeline.”
Kimber, the economic development director, knows many NGBs that train athletes at their Charlotte, North Carolina facility. The U.S. women’s national field hockey team is based here. She explained that there are many universities on the East Coast that offer field hockey programs.
However, a spokesperson for USA Field Hockey said: news 5 There are no plans to relocate the headquarters.
Colorado Springs holds a trademark for the name Olympic City USA. Doug Price, president and CEO of Visit COS, said the name is more than just marketing.
“Deploying Olympic values as part of Olympic City USA is very aspirational for both the tourists who come here and the residents who live here,” Price said.
He cited the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum and multiple new sports venues and attractions that are part of the City for Champions Regional Tourism Act development as evidence of the city’s investment in that aspiration.
Apparently the feeling is mutual.
“USOPC is proud to call Colorado Springs home and our presence here has grown significantly over time,” USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland said in a statement. I’m proud of it.”
“With more than 40 years of Olympic and Paralympic Training Centers, downtown headquarters, a world-class Olympic and Paralympic Museum, and home to many NGBs, Colorado Springs is truly the Olympic City USA.”
The City of Colorado Springs leases its headquarters building on South Tejon Street to the USOPC. The 30-year agreement includes a clause that gives the committee an option to purchase the property after 15 years. This agreement was signed in 2009. However, there is no word that this has happened yet.
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