Jourdan Delacruz, Metro Atlanta weightlifter, Paris Olympics

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — As the Olympic flame heads to Paris, a resident athlete at Power and Grace Fitness in Lawrenceville shares her excitement and preparations for her second chance at gold.

Jourdan Delacruz, who previously competed in Tokyo under a cloud of COVID-19 restrictions, is looking forward to a more traditional Olympic experience this time around.

During a recent interview at her training center, Delacruz said she felt calm and ready, in stark contrast to her Olympic debut.

“I feel a lot more at peace and just enjoying the process compared to Tokyo,” she said.

Many activities, such as media camps and meetings, have been included in the preparation for the Paris Games, adding to the enthusiasm and team spirit among the athletes. This allowed the Team USA weightlifting team to form meaningful connections before the games, according to Delacruz.

“It’s been really nice to train with the Olympic team before coming to Paris because, until now, we were competitors trying to get these spots,” she said.

For Delacruz, the upcoming games represent more than just competition; they are an opportunity to fully experience the Olympic Games, an opportunity that was restricted in Tokyo due to constraints linked to the pandemic.

“Last time I competed on the first day, which means we didn’t do any opening ceremonies, and I left the next day,” she said, adding that she expects to a complete list of Olympic activities.

The training environment at Power and Grace Fitness, under the direction of trainer Spencer Arnold, played a pivotal role in Delacruz’s preparation. She credits the community atmosphere with making the training enjoyable and effective.

“Every day you’re doing the same three lifts and some sort of variation of that. It can be very difficult when you’re doing it on your own,” she said.

Having teammates and a supportive community transformed her training sessions into more engaging and enriching experiences.

Delacruz also uses her platform to challenge stereotypes within the sport, particularly those regarding women in weightlifting.

“Walking into the gym, lifting a barbell, I felt like there were a lot of moments where I felt like, I don’t know if I belong here,” she said .

Having a background in competitive cheerleading, the transition to weightlifting was initially a culture shock for her, but seeing other women excel in the sport inspired her to pursue her career at the elite level.

As with the run-up to the Paris Olympics, Delacruz is focusing on performance and embracing a broader experience.

“I just want to soak in every aspect,” she said, describing her goals for Paris as encompassing both her athletic performance and her overall experience.

With her second Olympic journey underway, Delacruz views this not only as a story of redemption, but as a continuing chapter in her life, one that she looks forward to sharing, especially with the next generation of athletes.