2021 Junior Olympic Championship Confirmed in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -USA Artistic Swimming is pleased to announce that the 2021 Junior Olympics will be hosted in the home city of the national governing body at the Air Force Academy Cadet Natatorium in Colorado Springs, Colo. from June 26 to July 3, 2021.

The Junior Olympic Championship is one of the largest artistic swimming events in the world with over 1,100 athletes competing over aneight-day event schedule. This will be the first time the Cadet Natatorium at the Air Force Academy has hosted the Junior Olympic Championship.The Natatorium pool is described by the institution as one of the finest pools in the West and has seating for 1,640 spectators. The facility is used by the intercollegiate men's and women's swim teams, scuba training, physical education classes and survival training.

Home to the United States Olympic Training Center, the new US Olympic & Paralympic Museum and the national office of USA Artistic Swimming, Colorado Springs and the surrounding region provide plenty of activities for visitors when they are not at the pool. There are more than 60 area attractions including the iconic Garden of the Gods, trains, museums, restaurants, parks, a zoo, craft breweries and more to ensure that there is something for everyone to enjoy. 

With an elevation of 7,258 feet, athletes will need to prepare to perform in a different environment. USA Artistic Swimming will post guidelines and specific training tips to ensure thatevery athlete is prepared to perform at the change in elevation.

Those resources, as well as the hotel booking link, registration information, spectator information and schedules, will be posted as they are finalized HERE. Registration for the event will open this Friday, May 7th and will close May 29th along with the hotel booking window. Please note that this event is Stay for Play. More information on this policy can be found on the event page. 

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

“Anytime we’re able to help a national governing body bring a national event to Colorado Springs is a win for the organization and for the community. This event is a great example and we are thrilled about it,” said Doug Martin, acting Chief Executive Officer of the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation.

“The Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation is excited to be partnering with USA Artistic Swimming to bring this world-class event to the Air Force Academy,” Nick Kiger, Chief Program Officer for Air Force Athletics, said. “This Junior Olympic Championship has been a long time in the making and it will be great to see it come to fruition this summer.” 

“Visit Colorado Springs is thrilled to welcome USA Artistic Swimming’s U.S. Junior Olympic Championships to the US Air Force Academy in June. The opportunity to host this premier event in Olympic City USA supports our mission to create economic vitality through memorable visits to Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region,” Cheryl McCullough, Senior Director of Sports and Events, said. 

Adam Andrasko, Chief Executive Officer of USA Artistic Swimming, is excited to showcase the home of the national governing body to participants from across the country: “We look forward to hosting the Junior Olympic event in Olympic City USA. Our partners, The Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation, Colorado Springs Sports Corporation and Visit COS, will help us deliver a fantastic event. The natural attractions of the Pikes Peak region coupled with the Olympic and Paralympic experience of the brand new museum will offer athletes and their families an unforgettable experience.”