Not Just a Slogan
Neighboring the charming city of Winter Garden, lies the beautiful town of Clermont. It is a thriving community filled with lots of natural beauty, history, and champions. Literally, champions! Driving down 50 as you enter Clermont, you can easily spot the huge tower with the town’s motto, “Choice of Champions.” Turns out, it is not just a slogan, but also an actual fact! In this article we point out many of the champions of Clermont. Some of the champions of Clermont might surprise you!
A Place to Call Home for More than the Champions of Clermont
Clermont is situated upon beautiful rolling hills and lakes. If you’ve looked into buying a home in Winter Garden you’ll find that Clermont has a very similar vibe while being a little more affordable. It should be on your list for sure if you’re thinking of moving. It’s simply a fantastic place to live. The list of “Champions,” that also live in Clermont is quite impressive too.
Thanks to the warm and tropical climate and hilly terrain. Clermont has an international reputation as an ideal training spot among world class athletes. In fact, many of the athletes who train here relocate to reside here as well.
Champions of Clermont
There are many notable athletes living in Clermont. Here are some you may know of. They all find Clermont to also be an amazing training ground.
- Noah Lyles calls Clermont home, and by the time he left Paris in August 2024, the world knew why that matters. He won the men’s 100-meter gold at the Paris Olympics in one of the closest finishes in Games history, edging Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by five thousandths of a second with a time of 9.784 seconds. It was the first American gold in the men’s 100 meters in 20 years. He is also a three-time World Champion in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4×100 relay. Clermont’s most famous resident is now the fastest man on the planet.
- Motocross World Champion, Ryan Dungey.
- Former MLB Pitcher Shane Greene. Shane pitched for the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, and Atlanta Braves!
- Husband and wife Olympic medalists and track athlete stars in their own right, Damu Cherry and Dennis Mitchell also call Clermont their home.
- Another champion around town is Dr Dot Richardson, who is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and softball champion.
- As an Olympic team women’s coach in 2016, Lance Bauman knows what it takes to become a champion and sees the area of Clermont to be fitting with his training goals.
- Tori Bowie, a three-time Olympic medalist and 2017 100-meter World Champion, called Clermont home throughout her career. She passed away in May 2023 at age 32. Her legacy in track and field, and in this community, remains.
- Tyson Gay who is an American Record-Holder for the 100-meter and World Champion.
- Justin Gatlin, a 100-meter Olympic Gold Medalist.
- Olympic Medalist Kellie Wells.
- Norm Duke and Jason Couch, famed Hall of Famers from the Professional Bowling Association live in this quaint city.
- Nina Kraft, known as the oldest woman Ironman Winner, an incredible fete.
- Three-time Olympic Sprinter Churandy Matina live here too.
- Gwen Jorgensen, 2016 Olympic Medalist Triathlete also chooses this area to call home. With its incredible offerings to her sport, there is no better place for her to live and train. Gwen was also the first USA woman to win a World Champion Triathlon.
- Shaunae Miller-Uibo also sees the value of living in Clermont as the choice of Champions. As an Olympic Medalist and World Champion, Shaunae finds Clermont’s motto to ring true and loves being a champion of Clermont!
Where do the Champions of Clermont Train?
Now, with so many athletes of all different backgrounds and strengths, one may wonder where these many sports enthusiast practice to train for such championships. With such a high-level of competition, many of these champions helped to bring that same level to those in this area. From hosting camps and other programs, these incredible athletes are able to help elevate the growing need for top notch training facilities in the area.
National Training Center
As mentioned above, Dot Richardson who is known for medaling twice in the Olympics, started PFX Athletics. This organization helps young athletes to reach their softball goals and strive for achievement. She was the original Director for the National Training Center located in Clermont. If you have not checked out the National Training Center, it is amazing! With a focus on health and fitness. There really is no better place to train to push yourself to be your best.
Fitness goals here are met with motivation and the guidance and training tools to achieve them. As a member to this incredible facility includes a plethora of high end and high tech cardiovascular and stretch training equipment. Membership also includes private personal training as well as group classes to name a few.
The National Training Center is also home to a slew of youth programs. Such programs include soccer, swimming and aquatics, as well as track and field. This center is not just for adults, but offers youth initiatives too. The goal is to keep the entire family active and healthy. This training center is not just for those that live in Clermont, or Central Florida for that matter. The National Training Center is home to numerous Olympic athletes. With its warm weather training ground. Both individual athletes and team from across not just the United States, but also around the world!
Brandy Johnson’s Global Gymnastics Academy
Another great place to train, for those specifically in the gymnastics realm, is none other than the Brandy Johnson’s Global Gymnastics Academy, located in Clermont. As a former Olympian, Brandy Johnson has built an amazing community and training facility that helps to teach and elevate their gymnasts to reach their fullest potential. From tiny tots to teen titans, Brandy Johnson’s Gymnastics is the place to go for gymnastics training as they also strive to support a healthy lifestyle while introducing children to the world of sports. Supported by a staff with expertise in this field, as a gymnast or parent, you can feel confident of the level of training you will receive to excel.
Olympus
When Olympus was announced in 2019, it was a vision. Today it is an active development reshaping the south end of Clermont.
The 243-acre master-planned community sits along Highway 27 across from Lake Louisa State Park, within the Wellness Way development corridor. The project combines health and wellness facilities, sports training and competition venues, residential neighborhoods, hotels, restaurants, retail, and a town center.
David Weekley Homes has already purchased roughly 40 acres with plans for over 300 homesites. A $100 million health campus anchored by medical office space is part of the plan, projected to bring approximately 325 direct medical jobs to the area. At full buildout, economists project Olympus will create 2,800 direct onsite jobs and reach a taxable value of $1.5 billion.
For buyers considering Clermont, Olympus is not a future amenity to factor in someday. It is an active development that is already influencing property values and buyer demand in the surrounding area. If you want to understand what is happening in this market right now, talking to a Clermont real estate agent who tracks these developments closely is the fastest way to get current.
The Term Champion Is Not Just for Athletes
Clermont is not just for athletes and competitors, but also for those who are “Champions” in their own right and respective fields. Such accolades would include the following people!
- Roman sculptor Edmond Amateis, who after moving to Clermont, famously invented the Dorothy Amateis rhododendron flower. Born in 1897 in Rome, Edmond chose to live in Clermont where he gained inspiration from the peace and beauty of the area.
- Other Champions in the area include George Perez, who is a famous comic book artist and illustrator. Some of his most notable works include illustrations for Teen Titans, Wonder Woman, and The Avengers!
- Another writer to call Clermont home includes Kate DiCamillo. This Newbery Medal winner, authored such titles as The Tale of Despereaux as well as Because of Winn-Dixie.
- Captain Donnie Cochran also calls Clermont his home sweet home. He was the first African American Blue Angels to hold such esteemed positions such as Pilot, Commander and Blue Angels Flight Leader. When it comes to beauty and pageantry, Michaela McLean is a star.
- She was the first Miss Florida from this charming city! From Miss Florida 2019 to Miss Florida Citrus, Michaela definitely knows a thing or two about pageants and what it takes to be a champion in her field.
The city of Clermont, with their champion themed slogan, promotes a healthy and active lifestyle. Clermont offers a variety of fitness activities suitable for all skill levels. From aspirating Olympians to world record holders and triathletes alike, the main thing they all share in common is how easy it is in Clermont to find the right training ground.
Much of this really is in part to the landscape in which the city sits. With its rolling hills and many water ways, you cannot help but want to get outside and get active. Home to more than 400 miles of biking and hiking trails along with 23 park and recreational sites, not to mention the numerous gyms, studios, and more one does not have to go far to find a way to keep a healthy and active lifestyle.
Erica Diaz Team – Discover the Champions of Clermont, FL
Clermont is a booming city filled with lots of life and revitalization. Beyond the walls of the many subdivisions, shops, and restaurants about town, lies numerous champions who have done such amazing things in their respective fields. From the major leagues to blue angels, to the Olympics and Marvel and more, this city is also booming with literal CHAMPIONS. These champions bring honor to not just themselves, but also the city in which they call home. Remember next time you see Clermont’s motto, the “Choice of Champions,” it is not just a slogan, but rather an ode to the many champions in all fields that reside or train in this wonderful city.
If you or someone you know is interested in moving to the great city of Clermont, let the Erica Diaz Team help you today! From buying to selling and everything in between, we try to make the real estate experience as seamless as possible. With an amazing bunch of experienced realtors, we can make your dream home become a reality. Contact us today so we can get moving on your property!
