Athletes happy USOC likely to stay in Springs

Olympic athletes were pleased Friday to hear the U.S. Olympic Committee would almost certainly be staying in Colorado Springs.

A City Council meeting will be held Monday to formalize the agreement.

"I think it's a great thing," weightlifter Jackie Berube said. "It's great for the city and the athletes. It's a win-win all around."

The decision will benefit athletes. There will be improvements at the Olympic Training Center that will include 158 new housing units, expanded dining facilities and upgrades to the visitor center.

The improvements will be the most significant to the OTC in 11 years. In 1997 the USOC opened new facilities that included athlete housing, a dining hall, aquatics center, visitor center and sports medicine center at the cost of $23.8 million.

Although the OTC might not have been part of a USOC move, the news that all operations will stay in Colorado Springs eliminates any long-term concern for the athletes.

"We weren't terribly worried," said Paralympic swimmer Jarrett Perry. "We said we liked the Springs and we hoped they made the decision they did. I'm happy with it."

Perry, who attends the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, said he is often struck by the sense of community athletes feel from the people who live in Colorado Springs. That might not happen in a city like Chicago, which was a possible destination for the USOC if it moved.

"I think the bigger the city, it would probably be a little more difficult," Perry said.

Berube said she wasn't worried about the USOC moving, because she thought Colorado Springs was always the perfect fit.

"The training center has been here, and there's a history," Berube said.

Christopher Downs, a boxer from Knoxville, Tenn., who is stationed at Fort Carson, said athletes who come to Colorado Springs enjoy training in the altitude and enjoy the city.

"For the most part it is a home away from home," Downs said. "You get used to it."

Staying in Colorado Springs eliminates an adjustment period for the USOC, and athletes contacted were happy they can depend on continuity in the 30-year home of the USOC. Downs said he thought Colorado Springs was the right fit for the USOC and its training center.

"Colorado Springs is not a big city, it's not too fast, or slow," Downs said. "In Chicago there can be a lot of distractions unlike in Colorado Springs. I think it's good overall."

Berube said she has lived in Chicago, and she wasn't that excited about the possibility of the USOC relocating there.

"It's great they're staying," Berube said. "I couldn't be happier."

CONTACT THE WRITER: 476-4891 or frank.schwab@gazette.com. Check out our Broncos blog at http://gazettebroncos.blogspot.com/