Vancouver is the capital of the world for a fortnight, its scenic and cultural beauty a backdrop for the elite winter athletes of the world. Skiers, skaters and curlers have center stage under the azure Canadian sky.
Meanwhile, in a remote corner of Chula Vista, unknown athletes from all over the United States train hard and wait for their moment in the summer sun.
Tucked away near Otay Lake is the Olympic Training Center, largest of three training centers in the U.S. Athletes and Olympic officials call it a gem.
With the year-round San Diego sun and help from the San Diego National Sports Training Foundation, the United States Olympic Committee built the OTC Chula Vista from the ground up focusing on the development of future Olympian athletes.
Opened in 1995, the center sprawls over 150 acres and is home base for hundreds of Olympians and Olympic hopefuls, many of whom are Southwestern College students.
Three-time olympian Phillip Dunn moved from his home in Oregon after a stellar track career at Oregon State. A champion distance runner in college, Dunn knew he would not make the Olympic team in his college events, so he came to the OTC to train as a race walker. With hard work and coaching from OTC staff, Dunn became America's best race walker at the grueling 50k distance.
Dunn, an English major at OSU, demonstrated equal talent as a writer and published many of his travel features while he was at SWC. He was also a regular volunteer at local schools, helping children with their running technique and encouraging physical fitness.
Guamanian Olympian and SWC assistant track coach PhilAm Garcia also trained at the OTC Chula Vista
OTC Chula Vista includes eight facilities for Olympic sports including: archery, canoe/kayaking, field hockey, rowing, soccer, tennis and track and field. It also houses local soccer tournaments, BMX races, softball and track meets.
OTC Chula Vista provides world-class facilities to local athletes with year round events. Local athletes and coaches gain access to these venues while no Olympic athletes are utilizing them.
Governing bodies of many Olympic sports develop programs to help local athletes and coaches gain knowledge and support to enhance their sporting ability, an estimated 4,000 athletes and coaches benefit from these programs every year.
OTC Chula Vista continues to put its community first, developing and opening its doors to all student athletes and coaches.
Be the first to comment on this article!