 By Caroline and Meredith. |
By Caroline and Meredith. |
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Daniele Hypolito profile (part 3).
In addition to Daniele's fourth spot in the all-around competition and her superb silver medal on floor, the Brazilian national team were a surprising eleventh, effectively a climb of seven places in the world hierarchy compared to their performance at Tianjin. In the past Brazil, like many South American countries, has always had good individual gymnasts with powerful legs (such as Parente, and Carvallo). Today the country is able to put together a team of five girls without any big weaknesses. One part of the explanation could be the presence of the ex-Ukrainian trainer Oleg Ostapenko, now in Brazil for over a year. The latter seems to have brought a touch of the cohesion and fame that were previously lacking in the team. Georgette Vidor has every confidence in this man, who according to her "knows what it feels like to win Olympic medals and can help Daniele to get one too."  On her return to Rio no less than 100 journalists gathered to receive the young heroine. The victory of Daniele Hypolito as a representative of the Flamengo club coincided with the recent misfortunes of the famous football club of the same name. Flamengo's fans have therefore found a new idol. "Let the media talk about my tiny size - 1m 41 - I don't give a hoot. I'm more concerned about my weight. I eat loads and have a tendency to put on weight, even if I have become more sensible recently. But many journalists have profited from the social situation my family found themselves in before I began helping them with the money I won," she confided to us, a little bitter. Nevertheless she can't be unaware of the fact that today she represents the dream of many little girls from the poor districts, who also wish to get a better life and escape the daily misery via the route of gymnastics.  Many hopes rest on the tiny shoulders of this gymnast. She is however, decidedly determined and full of ambition, of that there is no doubt. |
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Page (c) Caroline and Meredith for Kostiskal Docs only can be reproduced for the private use of gym fans. |