Clayton De Clemente

Hobbies

Driving and working on cars, playing guitar and bass. (teamusa.org, 01 Jun 2021)

Reason for choosing this sport

He was playing inline hockey when his mother noticed that his speed and form could be suited to speed skating. She then sent him to train under coach Elena Sklutovsky at Danbury Speedskating Club in Connecticut, United States of America. Prior to that, his only ice skating experience had been at birthday parties.

Hero / Idol

US short track skater Jeff Simon. (teamusa.org, 01 Jun 2021)

When and where did you begin this sport?

He took up the sport in 2011.

Sporting philosophy / motto	"My biggest strength is I have really good endurance. I can keep going and going and going when a lot of people would die, and I have good awareness. When I can't see, I use my other senses. If someone is making a move, I'll hear their skates." (eu.lohud.com, 07 Jun 2020)
Other information	COLLEGE CROSSROADS In 2017 he graduated from Arlington High School in Lagrange, NY, United States of America, and then spent a year at Dutchess Community College while training and competing. However, he decided to give up his studies and move to Salt Lake City, Utah, to train at the Olympic Oval. At the time he moved to Utah, he was not a member of the US national team but he was soon accepted onto the FAST [Facilitated Athlete Sport Training] US development squad. "I felt like I'd be throwing a lot of effort away if I stopped [skating]. Instead, I decided to see how far I could go. If you're fast enough, you can skate on the FAST team." (eu.lohud.com, 07 Jun 2020)

www.facebook.com/clayton.declemente

Name of coach

Stephen Gough [national], CAN