This month, Leadership Colorado participants went to the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs to learn about achieving their goals with Team USA! We kicked off our program with Rob Cohen (CEO, IMA Financial Group and member of the Congressional Commission on the State of the U.S. Olympics and Paralympics) speaking about the steps we should take to reach our goals. We then spent time with Fin Kerwan (Chief of Olympic Sport), Julie Dussliere (Chief of Paralympic Sport), Morane Kerek (CFO) and Sarah Cantwell (VP Institutional Advancement), where we learned about the economic impact of Team USA and the Olympic Games, Team USA’s competitive advantage and future pipeline, the logistics of bringing Team USA to the Games, Team USA’s goals, the top Colorado athletes to watch (watch Kendall Gretsch’s amazing finish in the Paratriathlon) as well as the top events to watch in Paris 2024 (Wresting – record performance at the 2023 world championships; Track & Field – 33 medals won by Team USA at world championships, Cycling – we’ve got a fantastic up-and-coming team, and of course, Swimming – Team USA’s strongest event).
Participants then toured the Training Center campus seeing the gym, gymnastics, basketball, wrestling, pool, shooting range, sports medicine, and active recovery areas. We ate lunch with athletes Ariana Ince (Track & Field), Kate Brim (Paralympic Cycling), Hannah Chadwick (Paracycling), and Taylor Winnett (Paraswimming), each sharing their story of their pursuit of Olympic Gold. We ended the day by learning about and playing Goalball, the only sport specifically designed for the visually impaired. Colorado colleagues took away lessons of always striving to reach your goals, the importance of a positive attitude, and that no one can achieve their dreams without the help of others.
Next month we’ll be taking an overnight trip to Northern Colorado for a deep dive into some of the fascinating businesses in that area of the state!