As Matt Simpson leaves the goalball court, the sounds of balls striking the ground fill the gymnasium. With a black eye, Simpson steps off while his teammates continue practicing. In an empty gymnasium in the suburbs of Eaubonne, Team USA Goalball has exclusive access to the United States delegation’s High Performance Center for the first time.
Located 10 miles north of Paris, this state-of-the-art training compound has been available to U.S. Olympic athletes since 2008, and now Paralympians also have access to it. The facility includes dormitories, sports medicine facilities, and training centers, recently renovated with a 27 million euro ($29 million) investment by Team USA to host around 1,200 athletes during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Athletes like track and field medalist Jarryd Wallace and first-time Paralympians, including sitting volleyball libero Sydney Satchell, appreciate the opportunity to train in this exclusive space alongside fellow Team USA members from various sports. Simpson, a goalball athlete, highlighted the advantage of being able to train on their own schedule without logistical challenges.
The High Performance Center offers familiar amenities to athletes, such as nutrition specialists, kinesthesiology services, and sports psychologists, aiming to ensure consistency and comfort in their training routines. Despite the benefits, not all Paralympians have utilized the facility in Paris. Looking ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Games, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee intends to develop strategies to enhance engagement and encourage more Paralympians to make use of the High Performance Center.
