Chula Vista Olympic Training Center
I’ve always loved watching the Olympics! I have many great memories of watching the different games throughout the years growing up. I would pretend to be a gymnast during the summer games and a figure skater during the winter games. It never occurred to me until I was a teen and visited my first training center, that the athletes have these special training facilities to prep for the games. When I discovered that there was a training center nearby when I lived in San Diego, I just had to visit it!
Quick Facts:
- The Chula Vista Olympic Training Center changed its name to: Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center on January 1, 2017
- It was built in 1995
- It covers 155 acres
- It is a U.S. Olympic & Paralympic training site
- It is home to USA Track & Field, USA Para Track & Field, USA Rugby, USA Archery, USA Cycling’s BMX, USA Para Tennis
At the time that I visited in November of 2014, this training center was called the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center. It has since undergone some changes (including a new name). I convinced my hubby (who was my boyfriend at the time) to visit the center with me. We were able to take a free, self-guided tour along the path to see the grounds. We had to stay on the pathway and weren’t allowed access to the athlete facilities or actual training sites but the grounds were beautiful. We could see many of the training fields. There were also fruit trees at the end of the trail.
According to their website, there are now public guides tours available between $5-$35/per person. Make sure to check their schedule and availability prior to visiting. Walk-ins are permitted based on availability. The Elite Team Shop is located in the Visitors Center and offers a variety of unique gear and souvenirs. We visited both the visitor center and team shop to pick up some fun souvenirs during our trip.
The grounds and shop were a lot smaller than I remembered the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center is but it was still such a cool place to visit. During our visit, they had some cute photo op locations throughout the grounds such as athlete posters, statues, and a medal podium.
In addition to training Olympic and Paralympic athletes, the center is also used for international, college, development, youth tournaments, camps, and corporate conference training. Priority is given to elite athletes and their training at all times. Athletes for archery, beach volleyball, BMX, canoe/kayak, cycling, field hockey, rowing, rugby, soccer, tennis, track & field, triathlon, and cross-country abilities for various winter sports have all trained at this facility since it was built.
If you are an athlete or just an Olympic fan, this center is a must-see! I would love to visit again one day and see the changes that have taken place since my last visit. Have you visited any of the US Olympic Training Centers? Let me know in the comments below!
