Flamengo may have the best Olympic athlete of the year. Gymnast Diego Hypólito is among the finalists for the Brazilian Olympic Awards. Starting next Tuesday, the 1st, Brazilian fans will be able to choose the best athletes of 2009. Voting will be done through the website. www.premiobrasilolimpico.com.brThis year, internet users will be able to vote until moments before the announcement, which will take place during the Brazil Olympic Awards ceremony on December 21st at the Maracanãzinho. This will be the 11th edition of the event, promoted and organized by the Brazilian Olympic Committee.

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The men's competitors are swimmer César Cielo, gymnast Diego Hypólito, and sailor Torben Grael. The women's competition includes marathon swimmer Poliana Okimoto, taekwondo fighter Natália Falavigna, and judoka Sarah Menezes. César Cielo is attempting the title for the second time, having won the trophy in 2008. In the women's competition, last year's winner was long jumper Maurren Maggi. The selection of the year's best athletes in each of the 42 sports and the athletes competing for the Best Athlete of the Year award was made by a panel of judges comprised of journalists, sports directors, current and former athletes, and sports personalities, based on a shortlist submitted to the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) by each Brazilian Olympic Confederation, as well as the Brazilian Futsal Confederation, as the sport was part of the program for the 2009 Lusophony Games in Lisbon. Flamengo had two winners in their respective sports: Marina Canetti won in water polo and Diego Hypólito in gymnastics.

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Diego Hypólito took first place in the floor exercise at the 2009 World Cup in Slovenia. He won gold in the floor exercise and vault at the World Cup in Glasgow, Scotland, and was the floor exercise champion at the World Cup in Moscow. At the World Championships in London, he reached the floor exercise final and finished ninth. In November, he won his fourth World Cup title in the floor exercise.