Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Associated Press
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - American athletes will prepare for the 2008 Beijing Olympics at a headquarters located at the Beijing Normal University.
The U.S. Olympic Committee announced Sunday it has entered an agreement with the university, located about 15 minutes from the Olympics' athletes village. The U.S. team and staff will be provided with housing, training and restaurant facilities for about 400 Olympians. The games will be from Aug. 8-24.
"This complex at Beijing Normal University will establish a base for our athletes to prepare in their final stages prior to competition," said Steve Roush, USOC chief of sport performance. "It allows the U.S. Olympic athletes to train in conditions that are conducive for high performance, and it provides the comforts of home with great facilities, good restaurants and sleeping space for our team before the games."
During the games, U.S. athletes are scheduled to stay in the athletes village.
Two 400-meter tracks are located on the site, one with a grass infield. Ground has been broken for a new recreation center with a gymnasium complex and aquatic facilities. There also are gym facilities for combat sports.
There will be meeting rooms for coaches; a video setup that provides quick feedback and scouting for the coaches; and a technology center.
The USOC had a similar site for U.S. athletes in Athens for the 2004 Games at the American University of Greece.