Brazilian triple jumper Almir Cunha dos Santos, known as Almir Júnior, officially qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after hitting the Olympic entry standard with a 17.25m leap at the International Meeting of Madrid this past weekend.
The result not only guarantees his return to the Olympic stage after Tokyo 2020 but also places him among the top 10 global marks of the 2024 season — reaffirming Brazil’s strength in horizontal jumps.
A Statement Performance in Madrid
Competing under warm conditions at Estadio Vallehermoso, Almir delivered a powerful series:
- 1st attempt: 16.78m
- 2nd attempt: 17.01m
- 4th attempt: 17.25m (Olympic standard: 17.22m)
- Passed the final two attempts to avoid risking injury
After securing the mark, he celebrated with a backflip and raised the Brazilian flag for the cheering crowd.
Speaking after the event, Almir said:
“This jump carries the weight of every sacrifice. I’ve battled injuries, setbacks, doubts. But now I know — I’m going to Paris stronger than ever.”
Journey of Persistence and Resilience
Almir Júnior’s journey has been marked by both highs and adversity:
- Silver medalist at the 2018 World Indoor Championships
- Missed the 2019 World Championships due to injury
- Competed in Tokyo 2020, finishing 9th in the final
- Spent most of 2023 recovering from tendon inflammation and rebuilding form
Under the guidance of coach José Haroldo Loureiro, he adopted a smarter training regimen focused on:
- Explosive strength with minimal joint strain
- Biomechanics refinement to reduce landing impact
- Psychological recovery, using sports therapy and visualization
Brazilian Hopes in Field Events
Almir’s qualification is part of a broader revival in Brazilian field events heading into Paris:
- Thiago Braz (pole vault) is aiming for his third Olympic appearance
- Gabriel Luiz (long jump) recently jumped 8.19m — a world top-15 mark
- The women’s triple jump squad, led by Gabriele dos Santos, is approaching Olympic standards as well
The Brazilian Athletics Confederation (CBAt) has increased investments in field-specific coaching, recovery facilities, and altitude camps in Europe to give athletes a competitive edge.
CBAt’s head of performance, Luciana Moraes, commented:
“Almir is proof that resilience works. He inspires not only with his jumps — but with his refusal to give up.”
Next Steps: Eyeing the Final in Paris
With the Olympic standard met, Almir will now focus on:
- Staying healthy through targeted load management
- Competing in Diamond League meets in Oslo and Lausanne
- Fine-tuning runway consistency and jump phase transitions
His personal best of 17.53m puts him within reach of the Paris final — and, on a perfect day, even a medal.
Conclusion: Flying with Purpose
Almir Júnior’s season-best jump in Madrid isn’t just about distance — it’s about reclaiming a dream. With strength, strategy, and heart, he now prepares to take flight on the world’s biggest stage.
As Paris 2024 approaches, one thing is clear: when Almir jumps, Brazil rises with him.