July 29, (THEWILL) – The Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOC) has dismissed swimmer, Ana Carolina Vieira, from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Vieira and teammate, Gabriel Santos, left the athletes’ village without permission, violating team rules.
The BOC discovered the infraction through social media posts. Santos received a warning, while Vieira faced harsher consequences due to her subsequent behaviour. The 22-year-old swimmer challenged the relay team selection in what officials described as a “disrespectful and aggressive manner”.
Gustavo Otsuka, Brazil’s swimming team leader, emphasised the seriousness of the situation, stating: “We are not here playing or taking a vacation. We are here working for Brazil, for the 200 million taxpayers who are working for us.”
Vieira competed in the 4×100 metres freestyle relay heats on Saturday, where the Brazilian team finished 12th. Following the incident, she will return to Brazil immediately. The BOC’s decision underscores the importance of discipline and adherence to team protocols during major sporting events.
The Paris Olympics began on Friday and will continue until August 11. This disciplinary action serves as a reminder of the high standards expected from athletes representing their nations on the global stage.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
