After three years of construction, the museum will finally open its doors next week.

The United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum (USOPM) is a 60,000-square-foot space that houses 12 different galleries dedicated to specific winter and summer sports, and it will open its doors to the public for the first time on Thursday, July 30.

The USOPM serves a mission to honor the Olympic and Paralympics and celebrate the achievements of U.S. competitors. They hope to inspire and ignite the hopes and dreams of future athletes while celebrating the accomplishments of those who came before.

"The stories of our Olympians and Paralympians are the stories of this nation’s history,” said Museum CEO Christopher Liedel. "Every American can see themselves in the members of Team USA and will be inspired by their dedication, perseverance, and respect for the Olympic and Paralympic values. The Museum has the unique privilege of telling these stories, and we are ready and excited to share them with the world." 

Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, July 22, and range from $14.95 to $24.95, with children aged two and under being free. There are also membership options available. Contactless tickets are online-only.

The Museum is full of stories, artifacts, media, technology, and the core values of what the Olympic and Paralympic movements stand for: friendship, respect, and excellence; determination, equality, inspiration, and courage. It is set up to be a very interactive experience and involved many of the athletes throughout different steps of the project to keep the experience authentic. 

The 12 galleries included in the United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum:

• Hall of Fame
• Introduction to Olympism
• Athlete Training
• The Lab
• Parade of Nations
• Summer Games
• Winter Games
• The World Watches
• Medal Collection
• A final film entitled, To Take Part
• Medal Ceremony
• Rotating gallery updated frequently

Along with the galleries, the museum will house the largest collection of Olympic medals and torches. There is also a gift shop and the Flame Café. 

Image credit. Bill Baum/U.S. Olympic and Parlymic Museum. 

The Museum will be open seven days a week, Sunday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Several COVID-19 precautions have been put in place; staff and guests will have their temperatures taken, guests will be required to wear face masks, and there will be a staff-led orientation before every visit to explain both the safety precautions and how to best enjoy the interactive nature of the museum. 

USOPM is an exciting new addition to Colorado Springs, also known as Olympic City USA due to the training facilities and other Olympic and Paralympic facilities and offices located there. It's the first of five City of Champions facilities to open to the public and will be a place of both inspiration and a permanent tribute to the many athletes and individuals involved.

Check the museum website for information on tickets and memberships.