Story and photos by Scott Kendall (unless otherwise indicated)
A Modern Monument to America’s Greatest Athletes
Colorado Springs has been associated with the Olympics for decades. What better place to host the newest tribute to America’s Olympians? Since the original modern Olympics in Athens in 1896 to the Tokyo Games scheduled for 2020, the Olympics have provided a stage for the best athletes in the world to put on the biggest show in athletics.
Colorado Springs is “Olympic City USA”
Colorado Springs is already home to the Olympic Training Center and many Olympic and Paralympic committees and organizations. Now the city is getting ready for the upcoming opening of the modernistic Olympic and Paralympic Museum. It is the first museum in the nation totally dedicated to honoring current and past athletes representing the United States. Visitors to Colorado Springs can truly get the Olympic experience by visiting the new museum, the training center, and other Olympic themed attractions.
Celebrating Current and Past Olympians
Olympic Torches and Olympic Medals
The Olympic and Paralympic Museum showcases collections of Olympic torches and Olympic medals, starting with the first modern Olympic games held in Athens in 1896.
Technologically Advanced Design
John McCorkle, construction supervisor with Johnson, informed me that around 10,000 special ionized aluminum panels cover the exterior of this impressive futuristic building. The new Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs is designed to invoke the powerful movement of the Olympic athletes as they twist, turn, thrust, and strain to reach their potential.
The drawing below represents the architect’s original thoughts put to paper to reflect the graceful and powerful movements of the athletes.
It all started with a scribbled idea on a napkin
The rear windows have panoramic views of the city’s landmark mountains, including Pikes Peak. A special meeting room, as well as a special events area, are both located in the back of the museum facing the westward majesty of the famed mountains. These same mountain views inspired Katharine Lee Bates to pen the poem that later became the lyrics to the famous ode to the United States, “America the Beautiful.”
Upon entering, guests will first ascend to the top floors of this technologically advanced showplace. Starting at the top, they will slowly spiral downward through the various exhibits and presentations. According to the firm, “The design idealises athletic motion by organizing its programs – galleries, auditorium, and administrative spaces – twisting and stretching centrifugally around an atrium space.”
Museum Under Construction to House Olympic Memorabilia
It will also feature a collection of Olympic torches, a collection of Olympic medals, and numerous high tech videos highlighting the Olympic experience. Special meeting rooms, event spaces, and a theater will be a part of the complex, which they expect to attract about 400,000 visitors annually.
The Olympic and Paralympic Museum to open July 30, 2020
United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum
200 S. Sierra Madre Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
tel: 719-497-1234
usopm.org
Story and photos by Scott Kendall.
