Less than 12 hours after arriving in Brazil, Flavia Saraiva was received with a beautiful tribute at the Claudio Coutinho Gymnasium, at the Gávea social headquarters, this Friday (06.08). The little red-and-black giant was seventh in the balance beam final at the Tokyo Olympic Games, despite an injury to her right ankle.

President Rodolfo Landim presented the athlete with a plaque congratulating her on her participation in the Olympics, as well as a custom-made shirt and masks. Also in attendance were Vice President of Olympic Sports Guilherme Kroll, President of the Rio de Janeiro Gymnastics Federation Bruno Chateaubriand, Technical Coordinator Georgette Vidor, Artistic Sports Coordinator Roberta Perillier, coaches from the sport, and children from the club's gymnastics schools.  

"Flávia displayed impressive tenacity. Even with an injured foot, she competed in the balance beam final. She's a Flamengo fan; she's a true Red and Black athlete to the core. That's why I made a point of coming in person to congratulate her. Flávia represents how all athletes who wear this jersey should behave. She's a role model for this entire new generation to come," Landim praised.

Her friends and teammates also made a point of being there to hug her. Danielle Hypólito, Jade Barbosa, and Lorrane Oliveira showered the gymnast with love and affection. Even "little Brazilian" Daiane dos Santos came to support Flávia.

"I'm very happy to be back home, see my teammates, and train in this gym. Competing in the balance beam final was perhaps one of the biggest challenges of my life. But I faced it, and finishing the competition was very important to me. Without demagoguery, under the circumstances, it was worth a medal," said Flavinha.

"I love gymnastics and I've been able to do what I love most in life. Now it's time to take care of this foot, my health, and recover to compete without injury. I'm very grateful to Flamengo for all their support," he concluded.


AThe artistic gymnastics teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo rely on resources from their sponsors – AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR), in addition to support from the Brazilian Committee of Clubs (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources originating from the Pelé Law.