BMX Training Facility Opens in Chula Vista
Olympic athletes now have another reason for coming to San Diego. USA Cycling today opened the new BMX training facility at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. The new track will offer training and competition grounds for some of the top American BMX athletes as they prepare to qualify for this summer’s Olympic Games.
The U.S. Olympic Training Center, open since 1995, rests on a 150-acre complex adjacent to Lower Otay Lake in San Diego County, and is dedicated to the development of America’s current and future Olympic athletes in archery, rowing, canoe/kayak, soccer, softball, field hockey, tennis, track and field, and cycling.
The new BMX course was built by Tom Ritzenthaler, (a 33-year veteran BMX rider himself), who also built the BMX track that will be used in Beijing this August, when BMX makes its debut at the Olympic Games. This is the only course that currently replicates the UCI Supercross style that Olympic athletes will see in Beijing. It includes an 8-meter start ramp, and is the only permanent Supercross structure in the nation.
BMX, short for bicycle motocross, began in California during the late 1960’s. A low cost action event, the sport was an instant hit and quickly spread across the country and the world. In 1981, the International BMX Federation was founded. The main hubs for BMX competition include the U.S., Europe, Australia and South America. The United States is currently #1 in both Men’s and Women’s BMX rankings.
“It’s an honor to have our facility designated as the only permanent training location for BMX in the Americas,” said Tracy Lamb, Director of the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center. “This addition is significant for us because it drives home our commitment to excellence in Chula Vista. We pledge to keep our training center on the cutting edge of competition for our nation’s athletes. At the same time, we welcome the world’s athletes who want to train and compete here.”
Mike King, Director of BMX Programs, oversees the resident program. A Chula Vista native, King has been active in BMX cycling since 1975. A former World Champion in both BMX and Mountain Bike, he’s a member of the BMX Hall of Fame.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for our BMX athletes to have a facility in the South Bay, which is where I grew up,” said King. “This state of the art training facility was designed for our elite athletes will set the standard for other countries to follow. The goal of our facility is to replicate the Beijing track and ultimately, bring home medals from the 2008 Olympic Games.”
Jill Kintner, BMX and multiple 4-cross (mountain bike) World Champion, has been at the Olympic Training Center since early December. As an experienced rider, she’s seen and rode on several of the world’s best courses including the course in Beijing.
“It’s going to be such an advantage having this replica track in our back yard,” she said. “The Olympic Training Center has opened my eyes to what the possibilities could be towards an Olympic dream, and they have provided an incredible resource. In my normal life meeting all these different athletes and learning from those who have been to Olympics before just wouldn’t have been available. This environment has plenty of positive motivation to train hard.”
Kintner took fifth place at an Olympic Test event on the course in Beijing. She leads the charge for the United States women in BMX Super cross and has high hopes for an Olympic medal in 2008.
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