The Brazilian men's artistic gymnastics team began a two-week training period this Monday (August 22.08) at Clube de Regatas Flamengo, in Gávea, Rio de Janeiro. Three Flamengo athletes were called up by coordinator Leonardo Finco to join the group of seven gymnasts. The preparation aims to define the team that will compete in the World Championships in Japan (which will be a qualifying event for the 2012 Olympics), and the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, both in October. The training sessions on Thursday (August 25.08) and Monday (August 29.08), both at 9 a.m., will be open to the press.

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Diego Hypolito, Sérgio Sasaki, and Petrix Barbosa represent the red-and-blacks, as does coach Renato Araújo. Completing the team are Mosiah Rodrigues, Arthur Zanetti, Francisco Barreto, and Péricles Fouro, along with coach Marcos Gotto and physiotherapist Diego Mafra.

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Two-time World Champion on the floor, Diego Hypolito, highlighted the importance of the training period for the group.

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"This is a crucial moment for all athletes. We are all focused on Olympic qualification, something unprecedented for the Brazilian men's artistic gymnastics team. We all know how difficult it is, but we are committed," he revealed.

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Fresh from the Universiade in China, where he placed 16th in the all-around, Petrix Barbosa endorsed Diego's speech and emphasized that it is time to put into practice all the work done throughout the year.

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"It's the final stretch of the most important competition of the year. There's no more time for anything. Now it's time to clean up the series, fix the mistakes," he said.

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Sérgio Sasaki, out of action since June due to an injury to his right foot, believes the meeting is important to give the group confidence, as it is the last time they will be together before the World Cup.

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"There's no denying the importance of this training period. We're a month away from the competition. We have to be confident, we have to support each other and iron out the final details to get to Japan and leave there qualified for the Olympics," he said.

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The team leaves for Tokyo on September 18th.