Boathouse District Remains Official Olympic & Paralympic Training Site of USOC

The United States Olympic Committee has extended its contract with the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation to maintain the Boathouse District as a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site. 

Designated as an official U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site in 2009, abortion the Boathouse District continues to serve Team USA, housing 40 national team athletes in the sports of rowing, para-rowing, and canoe/kayak. Additionally, the Boathouse District has served as a community-based Paralympic Sport Club since 2011.

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation as an official Olympic and Paralympic Training Site,” said Alicia McConnell, USOC director of training sites and community partnerships. “We are grateful for the Boathouse District’s continued support and thrilled to have a world-class facility that will aid in the development of future Olympians and Paralympians in the United States.”

The Boathouse District is one of 15 U.S. Olympic Training Sites – and one of six that also serve Paralympic programs – throughout the nation. The Boathouse District’s elite training center provides additional resources, services and facilities for athletes and National Governing Bodies to ensure sport development. 

With the partnership renewal, national team athletes will continue to utilize the OKC National High Performance Training Center, two 4,000-meter courses on the Oklahoma River and the Route 66 Boathouse at Lake Overholser. The facility annually provides more than 8,000 training days for national team athletes, and will help prepare Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls for the 2016 Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

In 2012, U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Sites provided elite-level services to nearly 600 national team athletes, serving 17 NGBs and U.S. Paralympics. 

“We’re excited to serve the community and our country by partnering with the United States Olympic Committee,” said Mike Knopp, Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation executive director. “The Boathouse District is committed to enhancing lives through creating opportunities for fitness and physical activity for all, including opportunities to represent our country on the world stage. This continued partnership and designation as an official U.S. Olympic Training Site helps us set the way for Team USA athletes as they prepare for the Rio Games in 2016.”

“The Boathouse District and its continued partnership with the United States Olympic Committee is something our city can be proud of,” said Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett. “As our city increasingly becomes a hub for outdoor recreation, it’s partnerships like this that let the world know how truly special our community and its wonderful amenities are.”

In addition to providing services to Team USA athlete, the Boathouse District has also hosted international competitions and athletes from Canada, Germany, Italy and Mexico. The Boathouse District also hosted the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Sprint Canoe, and helped prepare six Olympians and two Paralympians for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.