Arkansas Nuclear One’s adopted son heads to the Olympics: Clayton DeClemente skates for Team USA

For more than 20 years, Vinnie DeClemente has worked in the nuclear power industry. When he started working for the New York Power Authority back in September 1991, he learned early that success, whether at work or in life, comes from preparation and being able to adapt. What he didn’t know then was that those same lessons would one day help his family navigate a completely different world — the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Today, Vinnie works at Arkansas Nuclear One in Russellville, Arkansas in work management as a scheduler, but he is more than that. He’s also the proud dad of Clayton DeClemente, a U.S. Olympic short track speed skater who’s about to compete on the biggest stage in sports.

Vinnie’s career choices shaped the family’s path in more ways than one. When changes were coming at Indian Point and plant closures were on the horizon, he didn’t just sit back and wait. He thought hard about what would be best for his family. Those decisions eventually brought them south, but more importantly, they gave his kids the stability and freedom to chase their passions. And chase they did.

Vinnie and his wife, Kristen, raised three kids: Clayton, Alexandria, and their youngest son Aidan, in a house that was never quiet.

“There was always something going on,” Vinnie said with a laugh. Friends coming and going, sports gear everywhere, and plenty of noise. The DeClementes weren’t strict parents. They encouraged their kids to try things, even if that meant rollerblading through the house and turning the hallways into racetracks.

That freedom turned out to be a big deal.

Clayton DeClemente, 26, didn’t start out on ice. Like a lot of kids, he got hooked on roller hockey when he was about eight. And while hockey wasn’t his sport, Clayton discovered he could really skate. While the family spent weekends at roller hockey games, Clayton was quietly developing something more than skill. He had a natural feel for speed.

The big turning point came in 2011 when Clayton was 11. His mom Kristen, found out about short track speed skating at a rink in Danbury, Connecticut and suggested Clayton give it a shot. His first reaction? A hard no. “He was like, ‘No, no, no,’” Vinnie said. But that changed the moment Clayton stepped onto the ice.

Short track speed skating is a sport that can fly under the radar. Races happen on a hockey-sized rink, just 111 meters per lap. Skaters hit speeds close to 30 miles per hour, leaning into tight turns while racing shoulder to shoulder. The G-forces they feel are similar to what NASCAR drivers experience.

Clayton picked it up fast. His first coach focused on technique, not speed, teaching him patience and discipline. Practices were often early mornings, at 6 or 7 a.m. because speed skating wasn’t exactly high on the rink’s priority list. Vinnie credits Kristen for making those years possible, waking up before sunrise to drive Clayton 40 minutes to practice.

As Clayton got better, his commitment grew. More ice time meant more travel, different coaches, and multiple practice sessions every week. By high school, skating wasn’t just a hobby anymore. It was his calling. Clayton balanced school, work and training, but eventually made the tough decision to step away from college to focus on skating full-time. His parents supported him, but with one rule: whatever he chose, he had to give it his all.

In 2019, Clayton took another big step. He moved to Salt Lake City, Utah to train with what skaters call the “fast team”, the group that feeds into the U.S. national program. That same year, he started competing at the highest level, earning a spot on the national team and skating in his first World Cup competitions in 2019.

For Vinnie, realizing his son was truly elite didn’t happen overnight. “It wasn’t a light switch,” he said. “This was years of work.” Vinnie said he remembered one coach telling his mom that “Clayton rises to the level of competition”. The tougher the field, the better he skates.”

Clayton missed his chance at making the 2022 Olympics because of limited roster spots and circumstances beyond his control. Instead of breaking him, that setback made him hungrier. Over the next four years, he became a smarter, stronger and an overall more complete skater. And now, it’s paid off.

This year, Clayton locked in his Olympic spot as the top male U.S. skater in the 1,000 and 1,500 meters. He’ll race Feb. 10, 12 and 14 after arriving early to train on Olympic ice.

Vinnie and the rest of the family will be there too, cheering him on in person. It’s the culmination of more than a decade of early mornings, long drives and sacrifices that most people never see.

Despite the size of the moment, Vinnie isn’t shocked. Proud, yes, but not surprised. “He almost made it last time,” Vinnie said. “Now he’s better. He’s earned this.”

Over the years, friends, coworkers, relatives, and skating families have followed Clayton’s journey from local rinks to world stages. To keep everyone in the loop, Clayton’s mom, Kristen, has started a Facebook page called “Clayton Turns Left.” It’s where fans can find race schedules, results, and behind-the-scenes updates. What started as a way to manage group texts turned into a community of supporters who cheer him on every step of the way.

As Clayton steps onto Olympic ice, those closest to him ask for something simple: support. Follow along. Cheer him on. Share the journey. Whether it’s a message of encouragement, a watch party back home, or a quick scroll through “Clayton Turns Left,” every bit of support matters.

From the halls of Indian Point to the curves of an Olympic rink, the DeClementes’ story is about commitment to work, family, and believing in each other long before the rest of the world notices.