Brazil’s national rowing team secured two Olympic spots for the Paris 2024 Games following impressive performances at the 2024 Final Olympic Qualification Regatta, held this week in Lucerne, Switzerland.
With high-pressure stakes and only the top finishers earning Olympic berths, Brazil rose to the occasion, qualifying in both the men’s lightweight double sculls and the women’s single sculls events — a major achievement for the growing rowing program in the country.
Olympic Qualification in High-Stakes Waters
1. Men’s Lightweight Double Sculls (LM2x)
Crew: Evaldo Becker and Pieter Tavares
Final Position: 2nd place (qualified)
The pair showed exceptional cohesion and endurance, maintaining third for much of the race before powering into second in the final 500 meters, holding off Ireland by just 0.41 seconds.
Evaldo Becker, after the finish, said:
“We trained for this sprint moment all year. To know we’re going to Paris — it’s unreal.”
2. Women’s Single Sculls (W1x)
Athlete: Vanessa Cozzi
Final Position: 3rd place (qualified)
Cozzi delivered one of the most resilient performances of the event, recovering from a slow start to surge past two competitors in the second half. Her Olympic debut will mark Brazil’s first appearance in the event since 2008.
Growth of Rowing in Brazil
Brazil’s qualification of two boats — in a fiercely competitive final regatta — is the result of a decade of strategic investment by the Brazilian Rowing Confederation (CBR):
- Creation of high-performance training centers in Porto Alegre and Rio de Janeiro
- Partnerships with rowing federations in Germany and Italy
- Talent development programs in schools and coastal communities
- Expanded access to sports science and GPS-based training analytics
Coach Marcelo Barbosa, who oversaw both crews, stated:
“We aren’t just sending athletes to Paris — we’re sending athletes who can compete.”
Preparation Ahead of Paris
Now qualified, the crews will turn their attention to:
- Final altitude and strength training blocks in Spain
- Water adaptation sessions on the Olympic venue — the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium
- Technical refinements, including stroke rate efficiency and mid-race pacing control
The athletes will also work with the Brazilian Olympic Committee’s mental performance team, focusing on visualization techniques and race-day pressure management.
Brazil’s Olympic Rowing Legacy
Although Brazil has a long history in Olympic rowing — including finalists in the 1980s and 1990s — the sport has recently seen a renaissance:
- Participation in grassroots rowing has doubled since 2021
- More coastal rowing and para-rowing events are being added nationally
- Olympic visibility is drawing more media attention and sponsorship interest
Vanessa Cozzi said it best:
“This qualification is not just about me — it’s about every young rower training at sunrise, believing the Olympics is not out of reach.”
Conclusion: Quiet Waters, Bold Dreams
In a sport known for its silence and discipline, Brazil’s recent performance in Lucerne speaks volumes. As Paris 2024 approaches, Brazil’s rowers will arrive not just to represent — but to compete with conviction.
Their oars are ready. Their minds are focused. And their hearts are full of Brazil.