<P> Some athletes preparing for the Olympics, Paralympics, and Pan American Games live at one of the OTCs for a period of months or years, while others visit periodically with their respective national teams for training camps, coaching (especially in sports science and sports psychology), or physical testing . Although foreign national teams are occasionally granted use of the USOTCs, they are used mainly by athletes from the United States . </P> <P> The Colorado Springs OTC was the first to be built, and has been the home of the U.S. Olympic Committee since 1978 . Its location on the former Ent Air Force Base was selected for its relatively high elevation, which is often thought to improve training effectiveness . Its facilities include an Olympic - size swimming pool, an indoor shooting range, the Olympic Training Center Velodrome, two sports centers housing numerous gymnasiums and weight rooms, and a sports science laboratory, in addition to an athlete center and dining hall, several dormitories, a visitors' center, and the offices of both the USOC and U.S. Paralympics . </P> <P> The Lake Placid OTC facility opened in November 1982, two years after hosting the 1980 Winter Games . The LPOTC is home to four resident sports: Bobsled / Skeleton, Luge, Freestyle Ski, and Biathlon . Athletes from boxing, canoe and kayak, judo, rowing, synchronized swimming, taekwondo, team handball, water polo and wrestling also train frequently on site . </P> <P> The third OTC is in Chula Vista, which is located about 7 miles (11 km) south of the city of San Diego, is where the U.S. national rugby sevens team trains . The 150 - acre campus features sport venues and support facilities for eight Olympic sports: archery, canoe / kayak, cycling, field hockey, rowing, soccer, softball and track & field . In June 1995, the training center, then known as ARCO Training Center for sponsorship reasons, was open . Over the years more facilities, such as beach volleyball courts and a BMX track, were added . The Chula Vista OTC is also home to the annual SoCal Showdown, a national - level archery tournament that attracts archers from around the country to compete in a several day competition consisting of qualifications and eliminations . </P>

Where does the us winter olympic team train