Parathletes who attended included 2022 silver medalist Thomas Walsh, Alie Johnson, Patrick Halgren, Sylvia “Superwoman” Hoffman, and Tyler “TC” Carter.
Earlier this year, Walsh unpacked his bags, pessimistic that he would be able to compete at the Paralympics because of COVID-19, but instead earned a giant slalom silver medal. Walsh is also an actor, singer, musician, and visual artist.
Johnson, a first-time Paralympian in 2022 for alpine skiing, has a congenital arm amputation and divides her time between skiing and therapeutic horseback instruction. Halgren is a Paralympic alpine skier, and Hoffman won a 2022 bronze medalist in bobsled.
John Suthers, mayor of Colorado Springs, and Gov. Jared Polis spoke at the ceremony. “Whether athletes succeed with a medal or elite competition, we all share in the events as Coloradoans,” Polis said.
Carter, a three-time Paralympic alpine skier, was the flag-bearer for Team USA at the Beijing games this year and gave opening remarks during the event. “This is a special night to celebrate our return and our accomplishments,” Tyler told the audience. He said being named flag bearer for Team USA was the “coolest night of my life and one of the best honors ever.”
Tyler called his retirement after the Beijing Winter Paralympics bittersweet. “I never got to earn a medal,” he said. “I tried, but came up short, but to be named flag bearer of my team was truly amazing.”
Tyler’s winter outfit that he wore as a flag bearer during opening ceremonies is on display at the museum, where he now works as the supervisor of guest experience.
The 60,000-square-foot facility, which opened in July 2020, is a historical and cultural museum to recognize Olympic and Paralympic athletes who have represented Team USA. The museum is home to a complete set of Olympic torches, a near-complete set of gold, silver, and bronze medals won by athletes, a Wheaties wall, as well as a host of interactive sports demonstrations from the 30-yard dash, alpine skiing , archery, and sled hockey, among so much more. I tried the alpine skiing and managed to ski through and successfully complete three of the ten gates.
