(Reuters) – In a Sao Paulo suburb, where Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade started to train before becoming the country’s most decorated Olympian in history, hundreds of new students dream to follow in her footsteps.
The 425 spots at the local gymnastics centre made available were filled in fewer than 48 hours – the quickest that has ever happened.
Andrade clinched the last gymnastics gold medal at the Paris Olympics on Monday, and captivated the minds and hearts of soccer-obsessed Brazil.
Rosana Marques, the centre’s coordinator, said demand for the coveted spots had tripled since Andrade went to compete at the Olympics.
“There are many girls who come (and try out the sport) because they have seen Rebeca,” she said on Thursday, early in the morning as girls were warming up and starting training.
Erika Martins, mother of Manuella, aged 10, and Melissa, aged five, said the star was an “immense motivation” for them.
One of eight children of a single mother, Andrade walked hours to practice. Later, her successes helped change her family’s life.
Martins quit her job as an educator to commit to her daughters’ dream, waking up at 4 a.m. every morning. Manuela’s training goes from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Melissa’s from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. while she waits outside.
“I find inspiration in her,” said Manuella, wearing colourful make-up that matched her attire.
Osmar Oliveira Junior, a trainer, added that it was about discipline. “The girls learn to conquer their limits,” he said.
Having trained Andrade in 2009, he was overcome with joy watching her performance in Paris. “A podium of three black women – that is very significant, it breaks all paradigms,” he added.
Lidia Perreira de Campos, aged nine, had her dream come true when she went to Paris to watch Andrade’s performance. “One day, I want to be there as well – (to) represent Brazil,” she said.
(Reporting by Dani Morera Trettin; Editing by Stefanie Eschenbacher and TKTK and Christian Radnedge)
