President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva decorated the judoka Beatriz Souzachampion of the Paris Olympic Games, with the Brazilian Army Medal. In a ceremony commemorating Soldier’s Day, this Thursday (22), in Brasília, Lula also presented the tribute to judoka Guilherme Schmidt and to indoor volleyball player Natalia Araújowho won bronze medals in the competition, held in July and August.
“It is an honor to be a soldier. It is more than just an incentive in our lives and helps us to simply focus on sports,” said Beatriz after the event. She, Guilherme and Natália are part of the High Performance Athletes Program, which is an initiative to encourage national sports by the Ministry of Defense.
Candidates are selected to join the program through public notices, taking into account their results in national and international competitions. They also undergo physical and health tests and must be fit to perform military activities.
After approval, athletes become temporary military personnel for a period of up to eight years and receive benefits such as medical support, physiotherapy, sports psychology, nutritionist and access to Army sports facilities for training. In the Army alone, 165 athletes from various sports receive support, including boxing, swimming, judo, modern pentathlon, fencing, shooting and athletics.
The Brazilian Army Medal is intended to distinguish citizens who have performed outstanding actions or provided relevant services in favor of the Force. Other authorities and civil and military organizations, both national and foreign, were also decorated today.
In a post on the social network X (formerly Twitter), President Lula said he is “proud of our athletes who fought hard to bring medals to Brazil.”
I had the honor of honoring our Olympic medalists Beatriz Souza and Guilherme Schimidt, from judo, and Natália Pereira, from volleyball, on this Soldier’s Day. I am proud of our athletes who fought so hard to bring medals to Brazil. 🎖️
🎥 @ricardostuckert pic.twitter.com/J46wg7BTqv
— Lula (@LulaOficial) August 22, 2024
The event also paid tribute to the approximately 34 thousand military personnel involved in the rescue of more than 71 thousand people and 10 thousand animals in Rio Grande do Sul, after the floods that devastated the state in the months of April and May. The 2nd Army Aviation Battalion received the Peacemaker Medal flag insignia in recognition of its rescue and transportation efforts in the region. This decoration is granted to Brazilian military personnel and civilians who, in times of peace, in the exercise of their duties or in the fulfillment of military missions, have distinguished themselves through personal acts of selflessness, courage and bravery, at the risk of their lives.
Army Commander, General Tomás Paiva, and President Lula at the ceremony commemorating Soldier’s Day – Marcelo Camargo/Agência Brasil
In addition to President Lula, the presidents of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG, and of the Chamber, Arthur Lira (PP-AL), the Minister of Defense, José Múcio, other ministers of State and ministers of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), among other civil and military authorities, were present.
Soldier’s Day honors the birth of Marshal Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, on August 25, 1803, the Duke of Caxiaspatron of the Army.
