The United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum, located in southwest downtown Colorado Springs, is opening to the public on July 30, with tickets going on sale on July 22.
The new museum is a tribute to the Olympic and Paralympic movements, with Team USA athletes the main focus of the experience.
“The stories of our Olympians and Paralympians are the stories of this nation’s history,” said CEO Christopher Liedel.
“Every American can see themselves in the members of Team USA and will be inspired by their dedication, perseverance and respect for the Olympic and Paralympic values.
“The museum has the unique privilege of telling these stories and we are ready and excited to share them with the world.”
Tribute to Olympic and Paralympic movements
For 124 years, the stories of @TeamUSA's Olympians and Paralympians have moved us, brought us to tears, and even dared us to dream.
On July 30, those stories will come alive in @OlympicCityUSA when we open our doors. pic.twitter.com/GzX1Hpt7b1
— U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum (@USOPMuseum) July 20, 2020
The attraction features 12 galleries within 60,000 square metres, including Hall of Fame, Introduction to Olympism, Athlete Training, The Lab, Parade of Nations, Summer Games, and Winter Games.
Additional galleries are The World Watches, Medal Collection, Final Film entitled To Take Part, Medal Ceremony, and a regularly updated rotating gallery.
It is one of the world’s most accessible and interactive museums, and visitors can customise their sports preferences and accessibility needs for tours that are unique to them.
Team USA athletes were consulted throughout the project, which results in the only comprehensive Olympic or Paralympic museum in the US.
Museum is accessible and interactive
Happy #TriviaTuesday! We’ll open our doors on July 30… are we ready for your #USOPMuseum visit? 👀⬇️
The Museum will feature which of the following?
— U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum (@USOPMuseum) July 21, 2020
Connected to the museum are the Museum Shop and Flame Café. The shop uses innovative technology, including a digital mirror where guests can try on merchandise without using a changing room.
“The opening of the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum is a significant milestone for the City of Colorado Springs – Olympic City USA,” said Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers.
“The museum is the first of five City for Champions venues to open to the public, and we look forward to welcoming both residents and visitors to Colorado Springs to experience this world-class facility.”
According to The Colorado Sun, the museum is estimated to have cost approximately $91 million, which is around $15 million more than the initial figure reported by The Associated Press.
Team USA athletes at centre of experience
The increased cost covered the state-of-the-art technology required for a personalised experience, including an interactive map. Guests can also select their favourite sport or athlete and a chip embedded into their ticket will prompt exhibits to display specific content.
The US Olympic and Paralympic Museum was designed by Gallagher & Associates (G&A), an internationally recognised interdisciplinary design studio.
Elsewhere, the Happiness Research Institute has opened the world’s first Happiness Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark.
