They built this since my time, when the only thing that put the Springs on the world sporting map was ice skating. Well now they have an entire training center in place (and a good place, when you train at 6000 feet you have that much more edge on the rest of the world--a lesson from the Mexico City games of 1968) and it has even become the headquarters of of the U.S. Olympic Committee (despite a bid and big bribe from Salt Lake City).
If you dig the Olympics and couldn't get to Australia, there is always a trace of it going on here--and it's a great place to inspire the kids. You can watch a 90 minute film on the Olympics and take a guided tour of the facilities--all for free. And what you see on the tour is not Universal Studios--it's real Olympic Athletes and hopefuls doing their training at fencing or uneven bars or judo or boxing or whatever.
1750 E. Boulder St. (719) 578-4618
But speaking of the ice-skating days, Colorado Springs has long been the major name in U.S. figure skating. People would send kids here to grow up into medal hopefuls and Ice Capades stars. The plane crash that killed the U.S. team created a casualty list of mostly Springs residents. And now there's a Hall of Fame and World Museum for Figure Skating--and it's only right it should be right up by the Broadmoor World Arena. No fee to check out their memorials, art collection, costumes, medals, and library. (719) 635-5200.
Now listen, rodeo is a sport, too, okay? And they have their Hall of Fame and Museum, too. And it's just north of the Springs (exit 147 off Interstate 25). Spurs, trophies, gold buckles, paintings, photos, and some cool saddles. Yeehaw, ya lil dogies. (It's $6, 528-4764).