Dear member and Red-Black Nation,

In January 2013, when we took over management of our Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, we were forced to take tough measures to address the serious financial imbalance that was affecting the entire club. 

At the time, this situation forced us, as part of the restructuring process, to temporarily discontinue the adult artistic gymnastics, swimming, and judo teams. We stated at the time that we would "take one step back to take two steps forward later." 

In the specific case of artistic gymnastics, the unfortunate fire at the Cláudio Coutinho gymnasium, which occurred in November 2012, further aggravated the situation. 

Eighteen months have passed, and we already have many victories to celebrate. The reconstruction of artistic gymnastics is a symbol of the rebirth of our club's Olympic sports, on much more solid foundations. With the enormous effort that resulted in the recovery of our tax clearance certificates (CNDs), we gained access to state and federal tax incentive laws. We approved an income tax incentive project covering judo and artistic gymnastics and raised funds from companies and individuals (through the Anjo da Guarda Program). During this period, we kept our teams training outside of Gávea and the students of the Sempre Flamengo Sports School in other spaces within our headquarters. Gradually, we reconstructed the Cláudio Coutinho Gymnasium, which will now enter its final phase of renovation. Through our longtime coach, Georgette Vidor, we secured the loan of equipment specific to the sport that belongs to the City Hall. Most importantly, we negotiated an agreement with the Brazilian Olympic Committee to receive state-of-the-art equipment for the sport, which should arrive in September/14.

Last Friday, the "first step forward" began to become a reality. We welcomed back our great athlete Jade Barbosa, who had left during the restructuring process that began in January 13. She, along with other red-and-black girls who make us so proud, especially Rebeca Andrade, make up 90% of the Brazilian women's artistic gymnastics team, a great hope for medals at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games. Welcome back home, Jade!

By October of this year, we hope to reopen the Cláudio Coutinho gymnasium, in far superior condition to its pre-fire condition and with much more modern equipment for the athletes and students of our Sempre Flamengo Sports School. The "second step forward" will then be completed, fully self-sustaining in terms of current expenses and renovated infrastructure, without relying a penny on soccer.

This same path is being followed in all of Flamengo's Olympic sports. The multi-champion basketball team also has its own sponsorships. Judo, which is also already relying solely on its own resources, will soon have a "new home" thanks to the funds from the agreement reached with the United States Olympic Committee. Aquatics is on the same path; our dream of rebuilding the pool is getting closer with the approved incentive laws. Eleven sports, over 1 athletes, and two hundred professionals are dedicated to Flamengo. Together—members, athletes, professionals, directors, and fans—we will be able to carry out this major rebuilding process for an even stronger Flamengo.

Finally, dear Flamengo fans, we fight daily to ensure that Flamengo once again becomes the largest athlete training ground in our country. However, before we develop high-performance athletes, we develop citizens. The club, as every athlete's second home, must set an example for our children and young people through our responsibility to pay our taxes and fulfill our obligations on time. We know this may entail sacrifices in the present, but serious sport is built with a long-term, structuring vision. The 2016 Olympics in our city represent a historic opportunity to make significant progress in our planned restructuring, given that companies and the government are finally tending to provide more significant support. Rest assured that Flamengo, as Brazil's largest club, will always lead the fight for Olympic sports.