Brazilian Olympic athletes from Moscow 1980 to London 2012 gathered at Arena 1 of the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Park to be part of the recognition ceremony during the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 12, 2016 – The Confederação Brasileira de Voleibol (CBV) paid tribute to Brazilian volleyball athletes that participated in various Olympic editions from Moscow 1980 to London 2012 at Arena 1 of the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Park in the occasion of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix on Sunday.
The national federation gathered Brazilian Olympic athletes from different generations – 53 of the 63 were present, including eight players participating in the World Grand Prix team that defeated Serbia in straight sets in Group 1’s first week of competition.
Between the second set and third set of the match of Brazil, the crowd at Arena 1 applauded the athletes as they entered the court. After that, they received recognition from CBV officials and a copy of Katia Rubio’s book ‘Atleticos Olimpicos Brasileiros’. The eight players who played were honoured at the end of the match.
Coach Jorge Barros, who coached the 1988 team was also honoured, together with current coach Jose Roberto Guimaraes, who led the gold conquest in 2008 and 2012.
Ana Moser, who participated in three Olympic Games – Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996 – said that the event was an important moment before the staging of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
“This is a celebration of volleyball, the recognition of women who defended Brazil,” Ana Moser said. “It is also an important boost for the women’s team that will compete in the Olympic Games. They go to the court knowing that they carry with them the power of Brazil’s rich volleyball history.”
CBV vice-president Roshan Barbieri stressed the weight of their Olympic history during the recognition ceremony.
“This is a very special moment that we want to share with you,” Barbieri said. “And so, the CBV was keen on doing this tribute because of what you have built in these nine editions of the Olympic Games is an example for the new and future generations.
Brazil were present in all editions of the Olympic Games since 1964, when the sport was first included in the Olympic programme. Brazil have participated since the Tokyo 1964 Olympics, and in the women’s tournament, since Moscow 1980. Brazil won nine medals in total with four gold, three silver and one bronze.
The Brazilian Olympic honourees who attended, including the eight current players were:
Adenizia Ferreira da Silva - 2012
Ana Beatriz das Chagas (Bia) - 2004
Ana Moser – 1988, 1992 and 1996
Ana Claudia Ramos - 1988
Ana Flavia Chritaro – 1992 and 1996
Ana Lucia Barros – 1988 and 1982
Ana Richa – 1984 and 1988
Ana Margarida Vieira Alvares (Ida) – 1984, 1992 and 1996
Carolina Demartini de Albuquerque (Carol) - 2008
Cilene Rocha-Drewnick - 1992
Cristina Pacheco Lopes (Tina) - 1992
Danielle Rodrigues Lins (Dani Lins) - 2012
Denise Mattiolli - 1980
Eliana Aleixo - 1980
Eliani da Costa (Lica) – 1984 and 1988
Ericleia Bodziak (Filó) - 1996
Erika Kelly Pereira Coimbra – 2000 and 2004
Fabiana Alvim de Oliveira (Fabi) – 2008 and 2012
Fabiana Marcelino Claudino – 2004, 2008 and 2012
Fernanda Cristina Ferreira (Fernandinha) - 2012
Fernanda Garay - 2012
Fernanda Venturini – 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2004
Fernanda Emerick da Silva – 1980 and 1984
Helia Rogerio de Souza Pinto (Fofão) – 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008
Heloisa Roese - 1984
Hilma Aparecida Caldeira – 1992 and 1996
Ivonete das Neves - 1980
Janina Deida da Conceição - 2000
Jaqueline Maria Pereira de Carvalho Endres (Jaque) – 2008 and 2012
Karin Rodrigues - 2000
Kátia Andreia Lopes Monteiro - 2000
Kely Fraga – 2000
Kerly Cristiane dos Santos - 1988
Leila Gomes de Barros Rego – 1992, 1996 and 2000
Lenice Oliveira - 1980
Luiza Machado - 1984
Maria Isabel Salgado (Isabel) – 1980 and 1984
Maria Auxiliadora Castanheira (Dôra) – 1980 and 1988
Monica Caetano - 1984
Natalia Zilio Pereira - 2012
Paula Mello Hernandez - 1980
Paula Renata Marques Pequeno – 2008 and 2012
Regina Vilela - 1980
Rita Zanata - 1980
Sandra Maria Lima – 1984, 1988 and 1992
Sheilla Tavares de Castro – 2008 and 2012
Simone Storm - 1988
Tandara Caixeta - 2012
Thaisa Daher de Menezes – 2008 and 2012
Vera Mossa – 1980, 1984 and 1988
Virna Dantes Dias – 1996, 2000 and 2004
Walewska Moreira de Oliveira – 2000, 2004 and 2008
Welissa de Souza Gonzaga (Sassá) – 2004 and 2008
Bernardo Rezende – coach 1996 and 2000
The players who were not able to attend were:
Ana Paula Rodrigues Connely – 1992 and 1996
Arlene de Queiroz Xavier - 2004
Elisangela Almeida de Oliveira – 2000 and 2004
Jackie Silva – 1980 and 1984
Marcia Regina Cunha (Marcia Fu) – 1984, 1992 and 1996
Marianne Steibrecher (Mari) – 2004 and 2008
Raquel Peluci Xavier da Silva - 2000
Regina Uchôa Pereira - 1994
Ricarda Raquel Barbosa Lima - 2000
Valeska dos Santos Menezes (Valeskinha) – 2004 and 2008