BP America have sponsored both the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and Team USA since February 2010, extended the partnership in 2011 to become USOC's official energy partner.

The latest support builds upon the previous announcement in September that BP would sponsor six American Olympic and Paralympic athletes training for the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The fact that BP is particularly prominent in the Colorado and Alaskan regions, with more than 2,500 employees there, is a further reason for the support.

Named in honour of the late Alaska senator, the Ted Stevens Sports Services Center will be at the heart of the modernised campus at Colorado Springs campus and will provide "world-class, technically-advanced training services for US Olympic and Paralympic athletes", it is claimed.

The Sports Services Center will also include new administrative meeting spaces, offices and a multi-purpose classroom, and will serve as the central hub of activity for all athletes who train, compete and reside on the campus.

A new indoor agility field and weight-training area, enhanced sports medicine and recovery stations and improved physiology and altitude-training capabilities are other features of the expanded campus.

BP are investing in a new building as part of a wider development programme at the US Olympic training centre in Colorado Springs



Of BP's contribution, $250,000 (£156,000/€186,000) will be dedicated to the USOC's existing Paralympic sports programmes. while the Sports Services Center will also serve as a resource for disabled veterans.

"As a proud partner of the US Olympic Committee, BP is honored to make this additional contribution on top of our existing multi-year, multi-million dollar commitment to Team USA," said BP America chairman and President, John Mingé.

"BP's more than 20,000 U.S. employees look forward to cheering on Team USA at the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and beyond."

Also pleased with the deal was Scott Blackmun, the USOC chief executive, who expressed his gratefulness to the company for their involvement.

"We're grateful for BP's commitment to America's elite athletes and to honouring Ted Stevens, a champion of Olympic and Paralympic sport in the US," he said.

"The Stevens Sports Services Center will stand as a tribute to his leadership and will serve American athletes as they work to achieve their goal of competing at the highest levels."

Senator Stevens contributed hugely to sport throughout his four decades in the Senate


Due to his authorship of the Amateur Sports Act of 1978 and its subsequent amendments, Stevens played a key role in restructuring the US Olympic Movement in a way that has been said to have contributed to the success of US athletes on and off the field of play.

Today, the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act protects individual athletes, and provides USOC the authority to oversee Olympic and Paralympic business in the United States.

"I want to thank BP for this incredibly generous gift that helps our nation's Olympic aspirations, while also honoring the Alaskan of the 20th Century, Ted Stevens," said current Alaskan Senator Lisa Murkowski.

"As much as Uncle Ted meant to our state and our people in helping us reach our potential, he also - through legislation, advocacy and his one-of-a-kind energy - was a national leader in boosting the profile and impact of the United States Olympic Committee.

"This gift lets us know that the next time we see our athletes on the medal stand, that Ted Stevens is standing alongside them." 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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January 2013: BP helps raise funds for USOC's Paralympic Sport Clubs
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June 2010: USOC pledge to stand by BP sponsorship