By JOSH AULT
6 News Reporter
LENOIR CITY (WATE) - Claire Donahue fever is spreading in the Olympian's hometown of Lenoir City.
The excitement has been building since Donahue and the rest of the U.S. Olympic swimming team practiced at the University of Tennessee before heading to London for the games.
One big way Lenoir City residents are showing their support for Donahue by displaying signs to cheer her on.
Carole Leonard, the owner of American Male Hairstyling, was one of the first to put up a sign to show support for Donahue. The sign in front of her business reads: "Congrats Claire Donahue 2012 Olympic Swim Team".
"We know the Donahues and we are so proud," said Leonard. "It's a incredible story for that young lady."
To celebrate Donahue's debut in the 2012 Olympics, the workers at Lenoir City Parks and Recreation posted a message on Facebook to spread the word about Donahue.
"Yesterday we put together a Claire Donahue fan page," said Lenoir City Parks and Recreation Director Steve Harrelson. "We invited a lot of people, have a lot of people joining, and because of the conversation through Facebook more and more people expressed an interest having a community get together to actually see her swim Saturday."
The owners of the Lenoir City Chilis restaurant have agreed to have a community party there on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Donahue is scheduled to swim at 2:30 p.m.
"Of course being the Olympics, wear red, white, and blue as much as possible," said Harrelson. "Anything with Claire's name would be great."
City officials are thinking of several ideas to celebrate Donahue's success in the swimming pool. One of those ideas is actually naming the city pool after her.
"I think it would be great," said Lenoir City pool manager Paula Gibbs. "I think anything we can do to promote Lenoir City and let people know we are on the map is great."
Along with potentially naming the pool after her, a parade is also in the works when Donahue returns from London.
"Claire we are all pulling for you," said Gibbs. "We know you are going to do it. You got the determination."
"Swim fast Claire," said Leonard. "We are pulling for you. We love you!"
The excitement has been building since Donahue and the rest of the U.S. Olympic swimming team practiced at the University of Tennessee earlier this month.
Lenoir City residents are showing their support for Donahue by displaying signs to cheer her on.
"We know the Donahues and we are so proud," said Carole Leonard, the owner of American Male Hairstyling.
"Yesterday we put together a Claire Donahue fan page," said Lenoir City Parks and Recreation Director Steve Harrelson.
"I think anything we can do to promote Lenoir City and let people know we are on the map is great," said Lenoir City pool manager Paula Gibbs.
