One of the greatest talents of the quiet town of Itapetininga, 177km away from greater São Paulo, José Neto, multi-champion coach of the red-black basketball team, carried the Olympic torch in his hometown this Saturday (16). The biggest symbol of the Olympic Games, the torch continues its journey through Brazil until the 05th, when it will light the Olympic cauldron at the Mário Filho Stadium, Maracanã.
"It's a unique moment. Being able to be part of the history of sports in the city where it all began, literally, brings a feeling of great emotion. I was born in Itapetininga and lived here until I was 17. It was here that I began my life in sports. A movie plays in your head when you see your friends and family again, and return all the affection they've always shown me," declared the Flabasquete commander emotionally.
"It's a unique moment. Being able to be part of the history of sports in the city where it all began, literally, brings a feeling of great emotion. I was born in Itapetininga and lived here until I was 17. It was here that I began my life in sports. A movie plays in your head when you see your friends and family again, and return all the affection they've always shown me," declared the Flabasquete commander emotionally.
Neto carried the torch along Barbosa Franco Street in downtown São Paulo. From there, the coach will head straight to the Brazilian Olympic basketball team's training camp in São Paulo next week, where he will remain until August 03, the date the team is scheduled to enter the Olympic Village.
The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo adult basketball team relies on direct funding from its sponsor Estácio, in addition to investments from Tim via the State Sports Incentive Law/State Secretariat for Sports, Leisure and Youth (ICMS).