Brazilian swimmer dedicates Pan Am medal to husband
Updated: 2007-07-20 From: Xinhuanet
RIO DE JANEIRO, July 18 (Xinhua) — Rebeca Gusmao, the first Brazilian woman to win a gold medal in swimming at the XV Pan American Games, dedicated her feat on Wednesday to her husband and her deceased father-in-law.
Gusmao won the gold medal in the 50 meters freestyle and broke the Pan American Games record for the event, with a final time of 25.05 seconds.
In the press conference following the victory, the athlete was visibly moved when she talked about her husband, Gutemberg Amaral, and his father, who died last week.
The 22-year-old swimmer revealed that she had thought of giving up the challenge, but Amaral’s support prevented her from doing so.
After talking to the press, Gusmao cried as she embraced her husband, who proudly exhibited the gold medal, which she passed onto him.
“She deserves each gram of this medal. My part was the emotional support,” said Amaral, to whom Gusmao has been married for only two months.
He added that the hardest moment they have been through was when his wife injured one of her knees during practice in the beginning of 2007, and also mentioned a fracture she suffered on her right foot’s fifth toe in the final stage of preparations for the Pan Am Games.
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