Brazilian Paralympic swimming took part in the first training sessions at the Paris La Defense Arena, where will premiere next Thursday (29)the day after the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games. The sport is the second that has won the most medals for the country – there were 125 in total (40 gold, 39 silver and 46 bronze) – behind only athletics, with 170. Brazil is in Paris with 280 athletes37 of which are swimmers (21 men and 16 women).
Current Paralympic champion in the 200-meter freestyle and 50-meter backstroke, Gabriel Araújo, 22, from Minas Gerais, was excited about the test in the competition’s official pool.
“I really enjoyed it. I arrived early to see the competition pool. It’s amazing. It’s a very large arena. I can already imagine what the atmosphere will be like on the days of the competition, with fans. It will definitely be a different feeling. But I’m calmer and more focused this time. I’m trying to do everything I can to make sure nothing distracts me until our debut,” said Gabrielzinho, who will compete in the 50m and 100m backstroke, 150m medley, 50m and 200m freestyle, in the S2 class (physical and motor limitations).
Another person who trained at La Defense Arena was the current world record holder in the 50m freestyle (26.65), Carol Santiago, 39, from Pernambuco. The biggest Brazilian medalist in the Tokyo edition – she won three gold medals (50m freestyle S13, 100m freestyle S12 and 100m breaststroke SB12) and one bronze (100m backstroke S12), Carol has everything she needs to achieve new podium finishes in Paris. Born in Recife, Carol arrives in Paris after a successful preparatory cycle, in which she won 10 medals at the world championships in Madeira Island, in 2022, and in Manchester (England) last year. The classes ranging from S11 to S13 are competed by athletes with visual impairment. Carol was born with Morning Glory syndrome (a congenital alteration in the retina), which reduces her field of vision.
Brazil is seeking to surpass its historic performance in Tokyo, when swimming won 23 medals (eight gold, five silver and 10 bronze). The record number of gold medals (nine) was achieved at the London Paralympics (2012).
Brazilian swimming delegation
Alan Kleber Basilio
Ana Karolina Soares
Andrey Madeira
Arthur Xavier Ribeiro
Douglas Matera
Esthefany Rodrigues
Gabriel Flag
Gabriel Christian
Gabriel Melone
John Peter Brutus
Laila Suzigan
Lydia Cruz
Lucilene Sousa
Carol Santiago
Matheus Rheine
Mayara Petzold
Phelipe Rodrigues
Roberto Mayor
Ruan Souza
Samuel Oliveira
Talisson Glock
Victor Almeida
Victory Ribeiro
Wendell Belarmino
