Rudy Garcia-Tolson<\/a>, a double-amputee swimmer who has won medals in Beijing and London, and would go on two month![\"my](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/IMG_0488-300x225.jpg?resize=206%2C154\")
s later to win silver in Rio. \u00a0we started at the main visitor center, where they were showing videos and slideshows on gigantic\u00a0screens in 360\u00b0 of past Olympic performances. \u00a0For whatever reason, the Olympics always makes me extremely emotional, and I teared up
\nplenty during this visit! In the welcome Center, I was also able to get up close and personal with a US bobsled, and take a picture with Rudy and wear one of his medals.<\/p>\nNext we saw one of the training facilities, where several Olympians and Paralympians were training on the state-of-the-art equipment. \u00a0We also saw some of the specialized rooms for training,![\"my](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/IMG_0485-300x225.jpg?resize=231%2C173\")
including an altitude chamber where oxygen levels can be adjusted to simulate various altitudes around the world. After that, we went to the pool, were Rudy has spent many many hours training, as well as the firing range used by Olympic marksmen.<\/p>\n
The last official part of the tour was lunch. That doesn’t sound like a big deal until you know everything that goes into feeding Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Every single piece of food in the cafeteria had a calorie count and every possible nutritional value you can possibly think of. These athletes are taking in thousands of calories every day, so it’s critical that they get the highest quality food possible. And I got to eat some of it for lunch!<\/p>\n
Of course, a visit to the US Olympic Training Facility wouldn’t be complete without![\"my](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/IMG_0506-225x300.jpg?resize=170%2C227\")
a stop at the gift shop. I loaded up on as much US Olympic team gear as my wallet would allow! But most important to note is that everywhere we went was completely wheelchair accessible because the entire campus is also being used by Paralympic athletes who have a variety of disabilities. \u00a0I got to meet two of them in the cafeteria, and it was so exciting to hear their stories and see the kind of training they were going through even though they didn’t have the same amount of physical function as typical Olympic athletes. This was such an inspiring \u00a0experience, and I would highly recommend it for anyone visiting the Colorado Springs area!<\/p>\n
Save<\/span>Save<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Sometime during the summer of 2016, I heard about a contest AT&T was holding through a friend of mine, called #BeyondLimits. \u00a0In order to participate, entrants had to submit a five minute or less video … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1395,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,30,3],"tags":[2534,102,2533,2532,153],"yst_prominent_words":[485,368,489,480,488,483,481,2530,482,486,1248,1080,2208,487,484,2531,1703,494,534,1308],"class_list":["post-200","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-north-america","category-travelogue","category-united-states","tag-colorado-springs","tag-olympics","tag-paralympics","tag-us-olympic-training-center","tag-wheelchair-accessible","latest_post"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/my-amazing-visit-to-the-wheelchair-accessible-us-olympic-training-center.png?fit=735%2C1102&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8IhCJ-3e","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":215,"url":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/2016\/11\/11\/easy-rolling-to-sydneys-olympic-park\/","url_meta":{"origin":200,"position":0},"title":"Easy Rolling to Sydney’s Olympic Park","author":"Sylvia Longmire","date":"November 11, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Like many people around the world, I absolutely LOVE the Olympics. There's just something about the spirit of the athletes and the intensity of the competition that makes me very emotional. I've been very fortunate to have visited a few cities around the world that have hosted Olympics in the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Australia"","block_context":{"text":"Australia","link":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/category\/australia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/IMG_3445.jpg?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/IMG_3445.jpg?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/IMG_3445.jpg?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/IMG_3445.jpg?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/IMG_3445.jpg?fit=1200%2C899&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1658,"url":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/2018\/06\/17\/wheelchair-accessible-family-friendly-atlanta\/","url_meta":{"origin":200,"position":1},"title":"12 Wheelchair Accessible Family Friendly Things to Do in Atlanta","author":"Sylvia Longmire","date":"June 17, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Every summer I have the privilege of spending two full months with my amazing sons, ages 10 and 8 years old. Being a wheelchair mom isn't easy, and I'm really lucky that I have help from friends and family when I need it. But I'm even more lucky that so\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "North America"","block_context":{"text":"North America","link":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/category\/north-america\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"wheelchair accessible family friendly atlanta","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_6677.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_6677.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_6677.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_6677.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/IMG_6677.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":393,"url":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/2017\/04\/03\/wheelchair-accessible-things-to-do-munich\/","url_meta":{"origin":200,"position":2},"title":"9 Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Munich","author":"Sylvia Longmire","date":"April 3, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Like many parts of Germany, the Bavarian city of Munich is surprisingly wheelchair accessible, with most museums, many historic sites, and public spaces quite welcoming to wheelchair users. If you find yourself in Munich during your European travels, here are some of my most wheelchair accessible recommendations for things to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Europe"","block_context":{"text":"Europe","link":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/category\/europe\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"wheelchair accessible things to do in munich","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/wheelchair-accessible-things-to-do-in-munich.png?fit=735%2C1102&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/wheelchair-accessible-things-to-do-in-munich.png?fit=735%2C1102&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/wheelchair-accessible-things-to-do-in-munich.png?fit=735%2C1102&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/wheelchair-accessible-things-to-do-in-munich.png?fit=735%2C1102&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3384,"url":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/2019\/11\/28\/wheelchair-accessible-seattle\/","url_meta":{"origin":200,"position":3},"title":"15 Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Seattle","author":"Sylvia Longmire","date":"November 28, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Before I flew from corner to corner of the country to Washington state, Seattle was one of the few major US cities I hadn't visited thoroughly. I was there several years ago for speaking engagement, but only spent the night. This time, I had five full days to explore, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Cities"","block_context":{"text":"Cities","link":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/category\/reviews\/cities\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/BA8A3684-0B6F-42BB-9224-93CC721A5643.jpeg?fit=1200%2C548&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/BA8A3684-0B6F-42BB-9224-93CC721A5643.jpeg?fit=1200%2C548&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/BA8A3684-0B6F-42BB-9224-93CC721A5643.jpeg?fit=1200%2C548&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/BA8A3684-0B6F-42BB-9224-93CC721A5643.jpeg?fit=1200%2C548&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/BA8A3684-0B6F-42BB-9224-93CC721A5643.jpeg?fit=1200%2C548&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1145,"url":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/2018\/01\/14\/accessibility-review-amway-orlando\/","url_meta":{"origin":200,"position":4},"title":"Wheelchair Accessibility Review: The Amway Center in Orlando","author":"Sylvia Longmire","date":"January 14, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"It's hard to believe that it took me two and a half years of living in Orlando, Florida before finally attending an event at the Amway Center! To be honest, I'm always intimidated by any venue that involves big crowds, mass seating, and busy traffic and parking. However, the Amway\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Entertainment"","block_context":{"text":"Entertainment","link":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/category\/reviews\/entertainment\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"wheelchair accessibility review amway center orlando","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/wheelchair-accessibility-review-amway-center-orlando.png?fit=735%2C1102&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/wheelchair-accessibility-review-amway-center-orlando.png?fit=735%2C1102&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/wheelchair-accessibility-review-amway-center-orlando.png?fit=735%2C1102&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/wheelchair-accessibility-review-amway-center-orlando.png?fit=735%2C1102&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2534,"url":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/2019\/03\/21\/the-easiest-accessible-destinations-for-new-wheelchair-travelers\/","url_meta":{"origin":200,"position":5},"title":"The Easiest Accessible Destinations for New Wheelchair Travelers","author":"Sylvia Longmire","date":"March 21, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Traveling can be a scary prospect for a lot of people, but even more so for wheelchair users - especially new ones. If you've recently started using a mobility aid like a walker or crutches, or a wheelchair due to age, a chronic condition, or an accident, you're already adjusting\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Travel Tips"","block_context":{"text":"Travel Tips","link":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/category\/travel-tips\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/IMG_5373.jpg?fit=1200%2C529&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/IMG_5373.jpg?fit=1200%2C529&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/IMG_5373.jpg?fit=1200%2C529&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/IMG_5373.jpg?fit=1200%2C529&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/IMG_5373.jpg?fit=1200%2C529&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/200","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=200"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/200\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1395"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=200"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=200"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=200"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=200"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"my](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spintheglobe.net\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/IMG_0482-300x225.jpg?resize=212%2C159\")
t a five minute or less video of how they lived beyond limits with their disability and\/or their mobility device. Well, I won the contest! My grand prize was an all-expenses-paid\u00a0trip to Colorado Springs to spend the day at the US Olympic Training Center. \u00a0The best part is that my trip was scheduled to take place only a few weeks before Olympians headed to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil to compete there in the summer Olympics! Here’s a recap of my visit to the extremely wheelchair accessible US Olympic Training Center.<\/p>\n