After selling shirts to treat an injury, Jade signs a new sponsorship.

Bank specializing in loans signs one-year contract with gymnast

João Gabriel Rodrigues and Simone Evangelista Rio de Janeiro

GloboEsporte.com

Jade shows her fists: sponsorship will allow the gymnast to pay for the treatment of the injury

After a period of hardship and lack of resources for treatment of a serious injury to her right wrist, Jade Barbosa finally secured a sponsorship deal. After negotiations, the gymnast will be the face of BMG bank for a year. Furthermore, according to the athlete's father, César Barbosa, two other companies are interested in supporting her.

In an interview with GLOBOESPORTE.COM, César Barbosa said the sponsorship is an early gift for the gymnast, who turns 18 soon. "She'll be 18 on July 1st and she got a big present. Finally, thank God. Jade is over the moon. The sponsorship was really cool."

Without a salary at Flamengo and still waiting for funds from a partnership with the Niterói city government, Jade even started selling t-shirts on her official website to pay for treatment for a wrist injury, a move that touched fans. Selling merchandise associated with her name will no longer be the athlete's main source of income, but according to César Barbosa, it should continue. "If she wants to continue, the t-shirts are a long-term business."

The sponsorship was announced a day after Diego Hypolito, her Flamengo teammate, openly criticized the club's lack of support for gymnastics. Jade's father, however, assures that the gymnast will not leave Gávea and said that, despite the difficulties, the Flamengo team's efforts in Olympic sports are commendable.

"Flamengo, despite all its difficulties, is the club that manages to keep Olympic sports in Rio de Janeiro. We have to support them, because the club is going through difficulties. Jade is a true Flamengo fan, she has a boyfriend there, the coaches... We take all of that into consideration," he stated. César Barbosa also said that Jade's popularity among young people was essential in reaching an agreement.

"In an Ibope popularity poll among 15- to 19-year-olds, Jade performed very well. Senna received 27% of the votes, and Jade received 8%, ahead of Ronaldinho Gaúcho. She was the only female candidate," she explained.