Ana Marcela Cunha (marathon swimming) and Isaquias Queiroz (canoeing) were chosen the Best Brazilian Athletes in 2015. The elected athletes were honored during the ceremony of the Brazil Olympic Award, on Tuesday, Dec. 15th. The Athlete of the Fans award went to swimmer Thiago Pereira, after a social network election. Organized by the Brazil Olympic Committee (BOC), the national sports gala was held in Rio de Janeiro and honored the major sports highlights of the year.
The 17th edition of the Brazil Olympic Award also included an acknowledgement to the Brazilian medalists at the Pan American Games Toronto 2015 and to the best in 49 sports. Carlos Arthur Nuzman, president of BOC and the Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games Rio 2016; George Hilton, minister of sports; presidents of Brazilian Olympic Federations, among other personalities, attended the ceremony.
In his opening speech, Carlos Arthur Nuzman emphasized the work of athletes and coaches on the eve of the Olympic Games Rio 2016. "I appreciate the effort and dedication of each one of you who are here right now, athletes, coaches, officials, and more than that, giving your heart to moments of great emotion. The emotion of competing at home, when hearts will beat faster than in anywhere else in the world. You will be with the Brazilian fans. This crowd that delights and follows us, always passionate, giving their warmth and support. I hope that this challenge will touch all of you, my dear athletes, with much pride and emotion. You will be turning into reality the dreams of more than 200 million Brazilians, in a delegation of less than 500 athletes, but each representing a large portion of these millions of people," said the president of COB.
Bronze medal in the 10km Olympic event and gold in the 25km one, both in the Kazan World Championship, since last year Ana Marcela has been on international podiums 15 consecutive times, remaining among the leaders in the marathon swimming world ranking. "I want to thank my mom and dad. They know how difficult it is to get here. I also want to congratulate the girls who competed for this award with me. It was an honor to compete with them. Everyone knows how difficult it is to get up early and want to be better every day," said Ana Marcela. "This was really a very good year. I hope next year will be even better, not only for me but for all Brazilian athletes. May we shine and win many medals in 2016," said Ana Marcela, age 23.
Besides winning three medals at the Pan American Toronto 2015, Isaquias gave up competing in the C1 1000m race at the Italy World Championship, where he had the potential to win, to fight to qualify for the Games Rio 2016 in two other events. Isaquias finished the competition as champion in the C2 1000m race and won the bronze in the C1 200m event, qualifying both boats. "I want to thank God. And my coach Jesus Morlan as well. Without him I would not be the athlete I am today and would not have achieved what I did," said Isaquias Queiroz. "I would like to send a message to all Brazilians: believe in us. We are working hard for the Olympic Games Rio 2016. We will do our best and win medals for our Country. Root for Team Brazil," asked the athlete born in Bahia.
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