Rio 2016

From the Favela to Gold

Only ten kilometres of the poor quarter of a disconnect in the Rafaela Silva grew up and the place of their greatest triumph: the Judoka Rafaela Silva took in Rio, the first gold medal for her home country. Brazil is animated.

Also at the Moment your Gold triumph on the big sports stage Olympic the Favela for Rafaela Silva is very close. Brazil’s first Olympic champion of the games in Rio is just born a good ten kilometers from the Olympic Park, located in the Favela Cidade de Deus. One of your first thoughts after the victory belonged to the people there. “I think that you will now celebrate my family had the money to come here,” said the Judoka.

Success in the home

Even before the start of the games she had declared: “I am very proud, because I represent only my country, animals, but also the Favela. Ironically, in her hometown of Rio, Silva crowns on Monday, the Olympic champion and get this for the mood in the country is so important first Gold. The infamous Favela, from the Drama “City of God” about friendship, life and Die famous. In 2013, Silva was in Rio Judo world champion, now makes you before the eyes of their family and of Thousands of Brazilians your dream come true. “I dedicate this medal to the whole Brazilian people that supported me, my family and my friends,” she says. After the battle, she climbs over the fence to the bleachers and cheering, weeping with their parents, friends and Relatives.

Key success: In the final fight Silva sets against Romania’s Corina Caprioriu

Low point four years ago

For Silva, the victory is a satisfaction, because there were some difficult stages in their career. After they had been disqualified at London 2012, she had to endure a violent and sometimes racist insults. “This medal is for all of you who have criticised me and said that I was not the shame of my family, that I was able to pass at the Olympic games”, declared defiantly. In tears, the young woman with the braces and the dark Curls, then an appeal to the people in the Favela: “this is My message for you is that you have to pursue his dreams. If one has a dream and fights for, you can create it.”

Drugs, violence, lack of perspective – everyday life in Rio’s Favelas

It is one of these ascenders-stories – perhaps this Triumph will help to a a by the recent political turbulence to the suspension of the left President Dilma Rousseff divided Nation. Ironically, it’s a Black, but in the new center-Right government of Michel Temer only white men. “Sport has changed my whole life,” emphasized Silva. So an Olympic theme, Sport as a vehicle to escape violence and poverty. “The road to here was hard, but it was worth it,” she says after the Triumph. With will, you could defeat much.

Silva benefited from the promotion

“Obrigada Brasil”, “Thank You Brazil”. In the social networks, the reactions came thick and fast. “I could die of Pride”, “You let a whole country vibrate”. Temer is called a “warrior”. With eight years, Silva had started Judo at the Instituto Reação, a social project in the Favelas, the dots today, five supporting 1200 children and young people promotes. “My father didn’t want me on the street hang out”. And so, perhaps, in a vicious circle of drugs and violence in the country. At 16, she became Junior world champion. Was founded, the Instituto Reação, the Judo bronze medal winner from Athens, Flávio Canto. And here the circle closes: After the victory both hugged each other crying.