The US Olympic & Paralympic Museum — Inclusion with a Capital I
I had no doubt that the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum (usopm.org) in Colorado Springs would be wheelchair-accessible. After all it’s a new building, and museums usually go above and beyond with accessibility features. I was not disappointed with that assumption.
I also wrongly assumed that the Paralympic exhibits would be few and far between, as they are in most sports-related displays. I’m happy to announce that I couldn’t have been further off the mark with that presumption. Not only are the Paralympic exhibits on par with the Olympic ones, in both representation and placement; but in some cases they even take top billing. In short, it’s one of the most inclusive museums I’ve ever visited, and the curation is nothing short of stellar.
Introduction to the Games
Accessible pay parking is available in the lot across the street from the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum, or in the metered street parking spaces around it (if you have the ParkMobile App). From there it’s just a short roll over to the ramped front entrance. There’s excellent pathway access throughout the museum, large accessible family restrooms, and a loaner wheelchair available for slow walkers. Don’t forget to look up at the highest overlook in the atrium when you enter. Named the Bob Beamon Overlook, it’s over 29 feet high — the length of his record setting long jump in the 1968 games.
There’s elevator access up to the third floor Introduction to the Games galleries, where the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum exhibits begin. Front and center at the entrance is a large exhibit about the history of the Paralympic Movement. Although the first Paralympic Games were officially inaugurated in 1960, they date back to 1948 when Dr. Ludwig Guttmann gathered 16 disabled veterans for an archery competition at the Stoke Mandeville Games.
Other exhibits include a collection of Olympic torches, a display of Paralympic prosthetics, and some interpretive panels about Paralympic classifications, equipment and the games themselves. Interactive audio and video kiosks are located throughout the facility, and visitors can customize their experience by listening to or viewing their favorite clips. And there are lots of hands-on exhibits that are accessible to everyone.
The display ends with a large screen surround movie with clips from various opening ceremonies, before a gently sloped ramp winds down to the second floor.
Summer & Winter Games
The second -floor galleries at the Us Olympic & Paralympic Museum are largely devoted to athletes and the Summer & Winter Games. They include a large collection of personal items from Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Again, representation is given to both Games, with Chuck Aoki’s rugby wheelchair given equal billing with Shannon Miller’s scrunchie. The same goes for Eric Heiden’s signed speed skate and Sara Wills big red mono-ski — although the mono-ski tends is a big attention grabber.
There’s also an excellent exhibit about the Miracle on Ice; that fateful match where the 1980 US ice hockey team narrowly beat out the Russians for the gold medal. Along with details of the Lake Placid faceoff, it also includes seat 30 — goalie Jim Craig’s jersey number — signed by the victorious ice hockey team.
And don’t miss the gem that’s tucked around the corner in the Mary K. Chapman Event Center — the original Miracle on Ice scoreboard. Transported across the country from the Lake Placid Olympic Center, this historic scoreboard proudly displays “USA – 4, URS – 3”, with three seconds to go. It’s definitely a piece of Olympic history.
The World Watches
The final galleries of the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum, which are located on the first floor, focus on the Games global impact on history and culture. And again, gently sloping ramps lead down to this level.
Exhibits highlight televised events related to the Olympics, such as the horrific Munich Massacre, when Palestinian terrorists kidnapped and killed nine Israeli athletes. It also looks at the lighter side of culture, with a collection of Wheaties boxes adorned with favorite Olympic athletes.
There’s also a gallery which features rotating exhibits on Olympic & Paralympic art, and another with a sizable medal collection. Top it off with an exhibit about the most decorated athlete in the Games — Paralympic swimmer Trischa Zorn — and you have a very balanced and engrossing collection.
Even if you’re not a super fan of the games or sports in general, this museum will draw you in. Unlike most of my friends I rarely watch the Olympics or Paralympics, however I found myself lingering over exhibit after exhibit at this excellent museum. It’s really that good, and it’s definitely a don’t-miss Colorado Springs attraction.
