CLERMONT, Fla. – When News 6 hits the road, we ask viewers what makes their community so special.

Cristina Smy, a local fitness instructor and triathlete, shared her thoughts:

“As a local fitness instructor and triathlete, I appreciate the multitude of opportunities our fitness community offers for participants of all levels. The camaraderie I experience while participating in Sommer Sports events throughout the year is incredible. Many of my friends and fellow fitness enthusiasts were met in this vibrant community. Whether running, racing, walking, or biking, Clermont Waterfront Park provides a platform for everyone to achieve and celebrate accomplishments!”

The city of Clermont proudly adopts the motto “Choice of Champions,” reflecting its distinct landscape and dedication to sports tourism. News 6’s Lisa Bell delves into the origins of this motto and explores how the city is leveraging athletics to its benefit.

A hub for athletes

Since the National Training Center’s inception in 2001, featuring a 70-meter heated outdoor pool, and the subsequent addition of a 400-meter outdoor track and field complex, Clermont has attracted athletes worldwide, both professional and amateur. The recent establishment of the indoor AAU 100,000 square foot Olympus Event Center and the hosting of triathlons on the picturesque Lake Minneola enhance the city’s allure even further.

“We did a workshop with over 1,000 people back in 2013, and it became the motto in 2014. We noticed that we have a lot of Olympians here and people that have trained from all over the world,” Interim City Manager Rick Van Wagner, who was on city council at the time, explained. “We have bowlers that are in the Hall of Fame, former ballplayers, motorcycle people, rowing, we have so many that are champions in their selected areas of athletes, but we also did that model because we believe citizens can be champions in any area they choose to be in.”

The logo and community impact

The logo, featuring blue and green to represent the hills and lakes, encapsulates the essence of Clermont. The iconic “M” is for the Choice of Champions and the circle is red for the heart of a champion.

Amanda Nethero is a boardmember on Clermont Mainstreet, an organization focused on supporting local small businesses.

“Every Saturday morning, they do a park run out of Lake Hiawatha so we see a ton people just coming from that and then we have a lot of the endurance sports that are hosted out of Waterfront Park,” Nethero said. “So you’ll have some triathlons that go out of there and different races throughout the year too. So we get a lot people that come into the community just for those specifically and then just to train because we have the hills out here so we’ll see a lot cyclists out here every weekend.”