Clermont is known as the “Choice of Champions” because of its international reputation as the training ground for elite athletes. The combination of pristine lakes, rolling hills and warm climate make it an ideal location to train for triathlons, track-and-field events, water sports and more. In fact, Clermont is home or training grounds for 20 Olympians from the 2016 Summer Olympics who brought home a total of 10 medals.

Choice of Champions also recognizes the championship spirit in all. Here are some of the many “champions” who live(d) or train(ed) in Clermont.

ATHLETES

Noah Lyles, World Record-Holding Sprinter, Youth Olympic Gold Medalist and 2019 World Champion 200m

Tori Bowie, 100m and Long Jump International Medalist

Tyson Gay, 100m American Record-Holder, World Champion 100m, 200m & 4x100m Relay

Justin Gatlin, 100m Olympic Gold Medalist

Damu Cherry, 100m Hurdles, Olympic medalist married to Dennis Mitchell

Dennis Mitchell, Two-time gold medalist, track, married to Damu Cherry. President and coach of Star Athletics

Kellie Wells, 100m Hurdles, Olympic Medalist

Nina Kraft, Oldest Professional Woman Ironman Winner

Churandy Martina, Three-Time Olympic Sprinter

Gwen Jorgensen, 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist Triathlete, first USA woman to win World Champion in Triathlon

Shaunae Miller-Uibo, 400m Olympic champion in 2016; 200m gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games; 400m silver medalist at World Championships in 2015 and 2019; 200m bronze in 2017

Jason Couch, Professional Bowling Association Hall of Fame

Norm Duke, Professional Bowling Association Hall of Fame

Dr. Dot Richardson, Two-time Olympic gold medalist softball champion; original NTC director

Ryan Dungey, Motocross world champion

Shane Greene, Major League Baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. Previously pitched for the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers. Named and All-Star in 2019

Lance Bauman, NTC's PURE Athletics track team coach; coached women's 4x100 Olympic team in 2016

Kaylin Whitney, Clermont East Ridge star, broke a 16-year-old national high-school record for the 100-meter dash at the 2014 USA Track & Field Junior Championship

OTHER CHAMPIONS

Michaela McLean, first Miss Florida from Clermont: Miss Florida 2019 and 2020 and Miss Florida Citrus 2019

Kate DiCamillo, Newbery-Medal author of The Tale of Despereaux and Because of Winn-Dixie. National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature

Edmond Amateis, renowned sculptor born in Rome in 1897, developed the Dorothy Amateis rhododendron after moving to Clermont

George Perez, Comic book writer and illustrator, whose titles include: "The Avengers," "Wonder Woman" and "Teen Titans" 

Capt. Donnie Cochran, first African American pilot to fly in the Blue Angels and the first African American Commander and Flight Leader of the Blue Angels