Colorado Springs – The new Athlete Recovery Center at the Olympic Training Center carries only part of its mission in its title.
The center unveiled Monday is a place where resident athletes and national team members can access a variety of “modalities” to help them recover from workouts. While the immediate needs of the athletes are met, USOC sports sciences staff will conduct research to identify which modalities work best.
The 4,350-square-foot center includes hot-and-cold water plunges, steam room and sauna, massage, nutritional refreshments and a multipurpose room for stretching and yoga. It is separate from the sports medicine area, where injured athletes are rehabilitated.
“One of the major mandates of this place is to find out what really works,” said Bill Sands, head of biomechanics and engineering in the coaching and sports sciences division of the USOC. “Is it a placebo effect? If not, what is the effect? My job as a scientist is to find out what really is behind these modalities. Do they work, and if so, how?”
Athletes exploring the new center Monday were pleased.
“It’s amazing,” wrestler Sally Roberts said. “This is something we’ve needed for a long time. If you’re an elite athlete and you’re really using and abusing your body to the extent we are, it’s a complete necessity.”
Ohno unsure
Short-track speed skater Apolo Ohno, who won three medals at the Turin Games, has not decided whether to continue his career. Ohno said he’s staying in shape in case the answer is yes, but he needs to sort out financial issues.
“I want to make sure everything is in order if I go another four years,” said Ohno, 24. “My body is healthy enough (and) I definitely still love speedskating. It just depends on if I get the right kind of funding, sponsorship and support to make sense for me.”
John Meyer can be reached at 303-954-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com.
