PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — An athlete from Clearwater will compete in the Olympics this summer.
Noah Lyons qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics one week ago.
“I was absolutely over the moon. I was so excited. There are no words to describe how I felt when I won and was selected to compete in the Olympics. It was pure elation, just an emotion.” Relief at achieving his goal I'm happy to be able to go home feeling good and check off the box to go to the Olympics,” Lyons said.
He will represent Team USA in windsurfing, a sport he has devoted his life to.
“It's very intense…When we're on the water, we're burning 800 to 11,00 calories per hour,” Lyons said.
He is currently training for the next two weeks at the Clearwater Community Sailing Center in preparation for the big event.
“A lot of days on the water, a lot of days in the gym. We're going to go through training blocks. So we'll probably have a four-week block and a week off,” Lyons said.
It's not just something he's good at, it's his passion.
“I love the freedom of being out on the water and just sailing, just being in touch with Mother Nature,” Lyons said.
This summer, he will be competing thousands of miles away in Paris, France, but he hopes his presence at the competition will shine a light on the community he loves.
“I certainly hope it gets more attention. You know, the next Olympics are going to be in Los Angeles, so all the other countries are going to be trying to come to the United States for training. . And I think Clearwater will be the hub for that next Olympic cycle,” Lyons said.
Lyons said while his focus is on bringing home a medal, he will also be thinking about all the people back home cheering him on.
“It means a lot to me to represent them and make them proud,” Lyons said.
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