Brazilian swimmer Ana Carolina Vieira has been expelled from the Olympic Games for a night out in Paris without official permission.
According to Daily Mail, Ana Carolina Vieira left the Olympic Village with her boyfriend, Gabriel Santos, leading to her expulsion after a confrontation with the Brazilian Olympic Committee.
On July 26, 22-year-old Ana Carolina Vieira, a swimmer representing Brazil, exited the Olympic Village without authorization. She was accompanied by her boyfriend, fellow swimmer Gabriel Santos. The duo decided to enjoy the Parisian nightlife, a decision that would have severe repercussions for Vieira.
The pair ventured out after their teams were eliminated from their respective events. Vieira's unauthorized outing with Santos, following Brazil's elimination from the 4x100m freestyle relay, was seen as a breach of discipline by the Brazilian Olympic Committee. Upon discovery, Vieira's reaction compounded the situation.
The Brazilian Confederation of Aquatic Sports (CBDA) described Vieira's response to the committee's decisions as disrespectful and aggressively challenging. This response led to an immediate and harsh ruling by the committee.
Vieira was expelled and swiftly sent back to Brazil. The CBDA stated emphatically that they could not accept such behavior from their athletes, emphasizing the seriousness of representing Brazil in the Olympics.
Gabriel Santos, who was ousted in the men's 4x100 freestyle heats, also faced disciplinary action. However, unlike Vieira, Santos issued an apology for his actions. This apology led to him receiving only a warning, allowing him to remain in the Olympic Village.
According to the CBDA, Santos's cooperative attitude during the confrontation played a significant role in the leniency shown towards him. Despite this incident, Santos continues his journey in his third Olympic appearance, having first competed in the Rio Games in 2016.
Vieira's Olympic debut was in Tokyo, and she has built an impressive following on social media with over 26,000 Instagram followers. However, her actions this year overshadowed her budding Olympic career, ending her participation in the Paris Games.
Both Vieira and Santos are affiliated with the esteemed Esporte Clube Pinheiros, a well-known Brazilian athletics club. The club has not yet released an official statement regarding the incident, but the CBDA has made their position on the actions of the two athletes clear.
Gustavo Otsuka, a senior member of the Brazilian delegation, emphasized the serious nature of their duties. Otsuka remarked, “We’re here working for Brazil, for the 200 million taxpayers who support us. We can’t play around here.” This statement underscores the gravity with which the committee views breaches of discipline.
Otsuka's remarks highlight the expectations placed on athletes representing Brazil at the highest level of competition. He expressed clear disapproval of Vieira's 'completely inappropriate position' in her reaction to being reprimanded.
The expulsion of Ana Carolina Vieira sends a strong message to all athletes about the importance of adhering to rules and maintaining respect for the delegation's decisions. While Gabriel Santos has been allowed to continue, the incident will likely remain a cautionary tale for future competitors. The repercussions for Vieira are immediate and significant, as being sent home during the peak of her career will impact her professional reputation. The CBDA's swift action serves as an enforcement of discipline and a pivotal moment for Vieira’s career.
