The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) decided to remove swimmer Ana Carolina Vieira from the Brazilian delegation at the Paris Olympics following two instances of misconduct reported by the sport’s technical committee. She is set to return to Brazil on Sunday (28).
The head of the swimming team, Gustavo Otsuka, reported that Ana Carolina Vieira and her boyfriend Gabriel Santos, who is also a swimmer, left the Olympic Village without authorization on Friday (26). The pair posted photos on social media in Paris outside the village. According to Otsuka, any departure from the village must be communicated in advance for security reasons.
However, the reason for Ana Vieira’s expulsion was not this incident. On Saturday (27), she was part of the 4x100m freestyle relay team, which was eliminated before the final. Vieira reportedly contested the decision to change the relay lineup, which competed without Mafê Costa, who was rested. The CBDA (Brazilian Confederation of Aquatic Sports) statement indicates that the technical decision was challenged “in a disrespectful and aggressive manner.”
According to the joint statement from COB and CBDA, the decision to expel Ana Vieira was made in agreement between the technical committee members, Chief Otsuka, and the confederation’s leadership. Ana Vieira might still have participated in the 4×100 medley mixed relay.
Gabriel Santos, who participated in the men’s 4×100 freestyle relay and had no more events to swim, was only given a warning.
The Pinheiros Club, where both athletes train, released an official statement about the situation.
“The Pinheiros Sports Club has been informed of the sanction against athletes Ana Carolina Vieira and Gabriel Santos, and Ana’s removal from the Brazilian delegation at the Paris Olympics. The Club will await Ana’s return to Brazil to discuss the matter and investigate the facts with those involved. Pinheiros remains confident in its athletes’ participation in the Olympics and their contribution to Brazilian sports.”
