You interview: Cristina Callou answers questions from internet users
Vice President of Olympic Sports talks about his first months in office
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
She assumed the vice-presidency during Patrícia Amorim's administration and has been trying to resolve the problems of past administrations. Cristina Callou, who was a swimmer for Flamengo and has been part of the water polo team, intends to 'get the house in order', invest in the training of athletes and, later, try to bring icons to the Rubro-negro's sports teams.
She graciously received the team from Flamengo's official website and answered questions from internet users. Check out the full interview below.
Lucas Antônio - Student - How do you plan to seek sponsorships for the club's Olympic sports?
Our job here in Olympic sports is to develop the projects. We pass everything on to the club's marketing department, which then seeks out and negotiates with partners. We explain our costs and our needs. It's about seeing what we need to meet our requirements.
Thiago Sinder - Radiology Technician - What will be your first major goal leading Flamengo's Olympic sports?
The biggest challenge is getting our house in order. We need to reorganize the sports programs, trying to provide the structure so that athletes can train properly. We are trying to give them a minimum structure to develop. And then, over time, we will try to find icons, prominent representatives in our sports. We already have that in Olympic gymnastics. But, initially, we are investing in the technical aspects, since Flamengo has a history of developing athletes.
Denis Correa Barbosa - Economist - What are your plans for the Gávea water park? Swimming pools, changing rooms, physiotherapy room and grandstands for competitions. What do you intend to do about this?
We have a project ready for the revitalization of the Gávea Aquatic Park. The stands will be repaired, and changing rooms, a weight room, and a physiotherapy area will be built there. However, this is still a long-term project. We do intend to improve the existing structure, but not now.
Vinicius S. de Lima - Civil Aviation Security Agent - I would like to know which Olympic sports Flamengo will invest in, aiming for the Olympics in Brazil in 2016?
Flamengo is a club focused on developing talent. We are planning to invest in that initially. We have already hired some coaches for certain sports. Our priorities are swimming, basketball, gymnastics, and water polo. However, nothing prevents us from later trying to bring in established stars for our sports.
Marcelo Gonçalvez Vianna - Administrative Assistant - What is the situation regarding the salaries of athletes in Olympic sports?
We arrived here and found a very difficult situation. We had to deal with delayed salaries and allowances. Some commitments were overdue since 2008. We are managing to balance things little by little, and the athletes are optimistic and confident. They know we can improve things.
Marcelo Costa Pereira – IT Technician - What was the major turning point for Flamengo's Olympic sports program after Patrícia Amorim took over as president?
I think it's the athletes' confidence and optimism. Patricia has already been in charge of Olympic sports, and the athletes have always had confidence in her. Now, they know that the presidency will always have an eye on them.
Roberto Pereira Winckman – Claims Manager - What are the current management's thoughts regarding the great basketball team? Sponsors have arrived, but are you already thinking ahead? Are you considering strengthening the team that brings so much pride to the Flamengo fans?
We managed to pay off the basketball team's overdue salaries and secured a sponsorship. We couldn't make any changes to the team vying for the title. We didn't have enough time. We're betting on the club nonetheless. When Flamengo reaches the finals, its performance improves. We are capable of winning the title again. However, we are already thinking about the team for next season. We plan to compete in South American competitions, and contacts for signing reinforcements are already underway.
Frederico da Silva Santos – Administrative Assistant - Cristina, have you ever held a political position at the club?
I've been a club member for 33 years. I was an athlete in swimming and water polo. In fact, I've never really distanced myself from Flamengo. I've always been involved in the club's daily life. I was an advisor to the vice-president of Olympic sports, director of swimming, general director of Olympic sports, and now I'm the vice-president.
Henrique Freitas – Physical Education Teacher - Cristina, Patrícia Amorim opened a door by taking over the presidency of Flamengo. Do you have that ambition too?
I have no desire to hold a political office. Actually, I am in a political position, but I perform an executive function. I work at the club 10, 12 hours a day. I am not a political figure.
She graciously received the team from Flamengo's official website and answered questions from internet users. Check out the full interview below.
Lucas Antônio - Student - How do you plan to seek sponsorships for the club's Olympic sports?
Our job here in Olympic sports is to develop the projects. We pass everything on to the club's marketing department, which then seeks out and negotiates with partners. We explain our costs and our needs. It's about seeing what we need to meet our requirements.
Thiago Sinder - Radiology Technician - What will be your first major goal leading Flamengo's Olympic sports?
The biggest challenge is getting our house in order. We need to reorganize the sports programs, trying to provide the structure so that athletes can train properly. We are trying to give them a minimum structure to develop. And then, over time, we will try to find icons, prominent representatives in our sports. We already have that in Olympic gymnastics. But, initially, we are investing in the technical aspects, since Flamengo has a history of developing athletes.
Denis Correa Barbosa - Economist - What are your plans for the Gávea water park? Swimming pools, changing rooms, physiotherapy room and grandstands for competitions. What do you intend to do about this?
We have a project ready for the revitalization of the Gávea Aquatic Park. The stands will be repaired, and changing rooms, a weight room, and a physiotherapy area will be built there. However, this is still a long-term project. We do intend to improve the existing structure, but not now.
Vinicius S. de Lima - Civil Aviation Security Agent - I would like to know which Olympic sports Flamengo will invest in, aiming for the Olympics in Brazil in 2016?
Flamengo is a club focused on developing talent. We are planning to invest in that initially. We have already hired some coaches for certain sports. Our priorities are swimming, basketball, gymnastics, and water polo. However, nothing prevents us from later trying to bring in established stars for our sports.
Marcelo Gonçalvez Vianna - Administrative Assistant - What is the situation regarding the salaries of athletes in Olympic sports?
We arrived here and found a very difficult situation. We had to deal with delayed salaries and allowances. Some commitments were overdue since 2008. We are managing to balance things little by little, and the athletes are optimistic and confident. They know we can improve things.
Marcelo Costa Pereira – IT Technician - What was the major turning point for Flamengo's Olympic sports program after Patrícia Amorim took over as president?
I think it's the athletes' confidence and optimism. Patricia has already been in charge of Olympic sports, and the athletes have always had confidence in her. Now, they know that the presidency will always have an eye on them.
Roberto Pereira Winckman – Claims Manager - What are the current management's thoughts regarding the great basketball team? Sponsors have arrived, but are you already thinking ahead? Are you considering strengthening the team that brings so much pride to the Flamengo fans?
We managed to pay off the basketball team's overdue salaries and secured a sponsorship. We couldn't make any changes to the team vying for the title. We didn't have enough time. We're betting on the club nonetheless. When Flamengo reaches the finals, its performance improves. We are capable of winning the title again. However, we are already thinking about the team for next season. We plan to compete in South American competitions, and contacts for signing reinforcements are already underway.
Frederico da Silva Santos – Administrative Assistant - Cristina, have you ever held a political position at the club?
I've been a club member for 33 years. I was an athlete in swimming and water polo. In fact, I've never really distanced myself from Flamengo. I've always been involved in the club's daily life. I was an advisor to the vice-president of Olympic sports, director of swimming, general director of Olympic sports, and now I'm the vice-president.
Henrique Freitas – Physical Education Teacher - Cristina, Patrícia Amorim opened a door by taking over the presidency of Flamengo. Do you have that ambition too?
I have no desire to hold a political office. Actually, I am in a political position, but I perform an executive function. I work at the club 10, 12 hours a day. I am not a political figure.