The Brazilian artistic swimming team has selected the pair that will compete in the duet at the South American Games in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Maria Clara Lobo, a Brazilian swimmer, will represent Brazil in the competition, which will take place from June 2nd to 6th. 

Raised in the Gávea pools, the athlete was part of the freestyle and technical teams at the 2016 Rio Olympics, achieving the country's highest score in the discipline at an Olympic Games in history. That same year, Maria Clara led Flamengo to the top spot on the podium in the technical duet at the Brazilian Championships, alongside Lorena Molinos. In 2017, for the Brazilian national team, the swimmer was part of the duet at the Budapest World Championships and the Santiago Open Championships.

Training with the national team since January under the guidance of Roberta Perillier, coach of Mais Querido, and Andrea Cury, Maria Clara was chosen to represent Brazil in 2018 alongside Luisa Borges. Eduarda Micucci, of Flamengo, completes the group as a reserve.

"I had already competed many times representing the club and youth teams with different athletes. We are always striving to grow within the sport. I think it was part of my growth to reach the duo that I would train for the next Olympic cycle, so I aimed for that and achieved it," said Maria Clara. 

At the South American Games, the red-and-black athlete will also be part of the free and technical teams. The solos have not yet been decided. Last Wednesday (28), Maria Clara received the Brazilian Olympic Award as the best athlete in the sport in the 2017 season.