After winning gold in the Beijing Olympics, as part of Brazil’s female volleyball team, líbero (defensive player) Fabi and middle blocker Fabiana are now wearing a different shirt: that of the campaign for Rio de Janeiro to host the 2016 Olympic Games. The pair, who will star in Rio’s team in the National Volleyball Championship, beginning in December, believe that Brazil has everything required - and deserves - to bring the Olympics to South America for the first time.

Fabi was born in Rio de Janeiro and began playing volleyball at the age of 14, in a local sports center. She made up for her low height (1.69m) with a lot of enthusiasm and energy, qualities that she recognizes in the residents of Rio: “The cariocas, just like all Brazilians, are passionate about sport and have a determination to achieve goals. One of the greatest emotions in my career was the opening game in the 2007 Pan American Games. I was in my home city, surrounded by spectators who didn’t stop singing. I’ve competed in many international competitions and the structure of the Maracanãzinho is among the best in the world”, says Fabi, who, as well as her Olympic gold, has also won three Grand Prix titles and silver medals at both the 2006 Volleyball World Championship and the 2007 Pan American Games.

Middle blocker Fabiana started playing volleyball at 14 years of age; at 16 she was world runner-up in the youth category. She hopes that other young people will be able to follow her successful path, and believes the 2016 Games will spur the discovery and development of new talents. “The Olympic Games are an opportunity to transform Rio de Janeiro and attract more youth to sport. I’m sure it would be a unique event. I would like the 2016 Games to be in Brazil so that we have the opportunity to demonstrate our love for sport and our capacity to stage major competitions” explains Fabiana, who was born in the inland state of Minas Gerais, but who five years ago adopted Rio as home.