The agreement ensures that national US speed skating competitions will continue to run at the centre until at least April 30, 2018, with high potential and elite sportsmen able to continue their training at the facility.

The centre itself was opened in December 1992 and was one of the first facilities in the country to earn the Olympic Training Site designation.

It replaced, and was constructed, on land previously occupied by the Wisconsin Olympic Ice Rink, an outdoor facility that was in operation from 1967 to 1991.

The new climate-controlled centre, named after sports broadcaster and philanthropist Lloyd Pettit, was seen as a huge improvement to the old outdoor arena and, since its opening, has attracted many of the world's top skaters.

"The US Olympic Committee is pleased to continue our long-standing Training Site relationship with the Pettit National Ice Centre," said Alicia McConnell, director of training sites and community partnerships for the USOC.

"The Pettit Centre's commitment to Team USA and US Speedskating will allow future generations of speedskaters to follow in the footsteps of a long line of Olympic champions that have trained and competed at the Pettit National Ice Centre."

Since the 1960s, around 70 of the 80 medals won by Team USA at the Winter Olympic Games have been earned by athletes who have trained or competed at the Pettit National Ice Centre ©Getty Images



Of the 80 US speedskating medals that have been awarded in the Olympic Winter Games since 1960, 70 have gone to skaters who trained or competed at the Pettit Centre and its predecessor the Olympic Ice Rink.

As well as a centre for elite sport, the Pettit Centre also offers recreational and developmental skating, hockey, figure skating and a running track for the general public.

"We are proud of the Centre's legacy of supporting medal-winning speedskaters for more than 21 years at the Centre and nearly 50 years on this site when including the Outdoor Oval," said Randy Dean, executive director of the Pettit Ice Centre.

"We are honoured to have an important role in returning US speedskaters to the podium for the Games in 2018 and beyond."

Ted Morris, executive director of US Speedskating, added: "The Pettit Centre plays an incredibly important role in the development of Olympic speedskating in the United States,"

"We are thrilled the USOC continues to recognise the significance of the Pettit Centre."

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