He’s the inside man, the USA’s secret weapon for the Rio 2016 Games: Joaquim Cruz, the 1984 800m gold medallist, is the Brazilian coach working for the Americans. But despite facing the tricky prospect of being in the US camp for the first Olympic and Paralympic Games to be staged in the nation of his birth, Cruz is not fazed. In fact, he says he can’t lose.

“It was a shock to me during the Pan-American Games in Rio in 2007, it was very strange,” said the 51-year-old about working for his adopted country on Brazilian soil. “They invited me to light the cauldron and then I was representing the US during the competitions. It was strange, but now I am more comfortable with the idea. I am a coach and my athletes are like my kids. And I am extremely competitive, so I don’t suffer as much anymore. But I will be cheering for Brazil as well and if Brazil gets to a final with the US, I know I’m going to win gold or silver, or both.”

Cruz, who went to the US on a college scholarship at the age 18, left his mark on Olympic history with a scintillating performance to win the 800m gold at the Los Angeles 1984 Games, leaving world record holder Sebastian Coe in his wake. Thirty two years later, he could make a difference from the sidelines. And his inside knowledge could be crucial.

“I started working for the United States Olympic Committee in 2005 as a consultant, then a couple of years ago, when Brazil was getting close to winning the Olympic bid, and they said ‘well, let’s keep Joaquim in the loop’ so they changed my status and invited me to work full time,” he said, laughing.

Golden moment: Cruz leaves Seb Coe in his wake to win the 800m gold at the 1984 Games (photo: Getty Images/Steve Powell)

Cruz was hired for his coaching ability – he trains four Olympic athletes and 12 Paralympic athletes in the US programme, all middle-distance runners. Yet he admits he has been called upon for tips on Brazil and its culture. “Yes, I have been playing that kind of role – what we should eat, how far in advance of the Games we should come, etc. But this is not only the US – Australia have asked, the Canadians, the British too, they’ve all asked for tips.”

Cruz coached US Olympic and Paralympic runners at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Games, and hopes to take two of his Olympic charges and all 12 Paralympic athletes to Rio. His main focus is on Paralympic athletes and he was in Rio in that capacity at the end of 2014, on a logistics-planning mission.

“The Americans are coming to Rio to increase the number of medals they win,” Cruz said. “They know they’re going to get a hundred and something medals. It is fact that the US will compete for first, second or third at the Olympic Games. At the Paralympic Games we got sixth (in London) and we are always shooting for number one.”

Brazil finished one place behind the USA at the London 2012 Games and Cruz knows his birth-nation will pose even stuffer competition on home soil. He was full of praise for the progress made by the Brazilian Paralympic Committee under President Andrew Parsons, and highlighted the wider social benefits such sporting success generates.

“Brazil was sensational in London and in the US we know it’s China, Great Britain and Brazil who we’ll have to compete with. And I think that after the Paralympics here in Brazil, things will take off even more. There will be more awareness, more attention, more recognition, and maybe that kid who has an impairment, and perhaps is discriminated against, will not have to face this anymore. I hope this is the case.”

Cruz also stressed the importance of Rio hosting the first editions of the Games in South America. “It’s extremely important because I think the Games in Brazil will determine whether other countries in South America can stage competitions of this size. I’m sure Brazil is going to put on a good show and that will be an eye-opener for people, that South Americans are also able to organise a very good edition of the Olympics and Paralympics.

“The Games will show the world the beauty of Rio de Janeiro. And of course the Brazilian people are going to play a very important role in providing hospitality to the foreigners who come for the Games.”