History is in the making for the city of Orlando, as it became the first in the state to host the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trial teams.
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On Friday, top elite runners and Olympians gathered along Rosalind Avenue in downtown Orlando to speak on what it takes to become the best.
“I think that I would be really thrilled to be one of those top three representing this country; it means a lot to me,” said Aliphine Tuliamuck, who represented the United States at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Tuliamuck is one of hundreds racing to certify a spot in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
“I mean, a race this big, you try to train as much as you can, and then it’s like you get out here, and you’re reuniting with friends, but you still have to remember that they are your competition,” said Tuliamuck.
The city has upped security throughout Orlando for several days at several checkpoints, put up dozens of road blockades to clear a course for runners, and detouring some pedestrians.