Team USA also keeps Olympic facilities open for Paralympians

PARIS (AP) — As Matt Simpson leaves the goalball court, balls echo throughout the gym. Simpson has a black eye as his teammates continue to practice. The room is chaotic and the energy is high, but the most remarkable part of this room is that no one is there except Team USA Goalball.

For the first time, everything belongs to them.

The U.S. Delegation High Performance Center is a state-of-the-art training complex located in the quiet suburb of Eaubonne, 15 kilometers north of Paris.

U.S. Olympic athletes have had access to this type of exclusive facility since 2008. Now, Paralympians have access as well.

“I think the HPC is one of the biggest changes I’ve seen,” said Dana Schoenwetter, director of Games operations at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. “The equity in supporting our Olympians and Paralympians is tremendous.”

Athletics medallist Jarryd Wallace agreed that access to the HPC this year is a significant improvement.

“I think the best part of this experience, compared to my first three Games, is having access to the High Performance Center,” said Wallace, who competes in the long jump after representing the United States in sprints at the Tokyo, Rio and London Paralympics. “We have this facility all to ourselves, Team USA, which is incredible.”

New Paralympians, like sitting volleyball libero Sydney Satchell, are also excited to have a space to train while connecting with Team USA athletes outside of their respective sports.

“It’s fun for someone who’s new to the Paralympics to meet new people, see people I’ve seen in commercials and on billboards, but also get that mindset, be ready for the game,” Satchell said.

It’s all theirs

Six years ago, USOPC staff members traveled to Paris looking for a facility to host one of the largest teams competing in the Games. After two days and about 30 site visits, they chose Athletica, a multi-sport training center used by members of the Eaubonne community.

Team USA recently invested 27 million euros ($29 million) to renovate the HPC’s dormitories, sports medicine facilities and training centers in preparation for hosting about 1,200 athletes at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The athletes’ village is 15 kilometers away, making it easy to travel between facilities.

Exclusive access to the complex allows athletes to train on their own schedule. About 8,000 athletes reside in the Paralympic Village and share about 300 pieces of equipment, compared to just over 200 U.S. athletes sharing a facility the size of a small university athletic department. Having all that space makes a world of difference.

“We have access to this field whenever we want, we don’t have to fight with the Chinese team to get a spot on the field,” goalball athlete Simpson said. “We don’t have to worry about logistics, we just show up and play.”

That’s exactly what Schoenwetter and his team envisioned when they decided to keep the HPC open for the Paralympics.

“Giving them a competitive edge in their training and preparation for the Games is important to us,” Schoenwetter said. “That’s what we’re here for.”

Once the games are over, Athletica will return to the Eaubonne community with the renovations donated to the municipality by Team USA.

Bringing the comforts of home to Paris

The USOPC has specifically equipped the HPC with the same equipment available at the Colorado Springs facility, such as nutrition specialists, kinesiology services and sports psychologists. The goal is to ensure familiarity and stability in each athlete’s training program.

Simpson has been working with the same dietitian, Kate Davis, for nearly six years. He says a familiar face can help restore normalcy in a new environment.

“Having her with us in practice and on the field helps us develop the habits and knowledge to really push those extra few percentages that really matter,” Simpson said. “It’s a way to feel comfortable, a way to stay focused on the task, a way to stay in our routine even though everything around us is changing.”

Despite these positive aspects, Schoenwetter said not all Paralympians have used the facilities. Looking ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Games, the USOPC is considering strategies to increase engagement and encourage Paralympians to take full advantage of the upcoming HPC.

“Now that we’re going to Los Angeles, we have a good foundation to grow from and ways to better support ourselves,” Schoenwetter said.