Judoka Daniela Polzin today took Brazil to the top of the podium at the Lusophone Games in Lisbon, winning in the up to 48kg category – another gold medal in a victorious career that includes participating in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. At the age of 30, Daniela is hoping that Rio de Janeiro is selected to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. As it is unlikely she would be able to take part as an athlete, the carioca is already making plans to stay involved if the greatest sports event on the planet is held in her home town.

Juggling her heavy judo training routine and frequent travel, Daniela graduated as an architect and is currently doing a post-graduate course in administration and sports marketing. It is this knowledge, allied to her experience as an athlete, that she intends to use in support the Rio 2016 Games. “I’m watching the Rio bid closely and I’m fully behind it. I know that I will be too old to participate in the 2016 Games as an athlete, but if Rio is chosen, I would like to take part in some way. My dream is to work on the urban planning project, which will transform the city,” Daniela explains. 

But before dedicating herself to the urban projects set out in the Rio 2016 Candidature File, such as a new Bus Rapid Transit system or the building of the Olympic Training Center, Daniela continues to shine on the tatami. At the Lusophone Games, she became champion with two victories, over athletes from Portugal and Macau. “This competition is important for integration between countries and sports development. The African competitors, for example, showed a lot of improvement and versatility,” said Daniela, who won silver at the Rio 2007 Pan American Games.