00:27THE CITY IN BRAZIL
00:35What makes an Olympics historic?
00:38These are the unforgettable games, the rivalries, the idols.
00:42At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, Brazil delivered all of that and even more.
00:49There were 15 medals, unprecedented podium finishes, an all-Brazilian final, and a record number of gold medals.
00:55We're going to step into a time tunnel and go back 30 years to this event that marked a generation.
01:01Brazil got off to a great start, or rather, a resounding victory, right on the first day of competition.
01:08Gustavo Borges won a silver medal in the 200-meter freestyle, with a breathtaking sprint.
01:16In the first 100 meters of the final, he was in fourth place.
01:19In the 150 meters, he dropped to fifth place.
01:23And then came the sensational surge that took him to second place and the silver medal.
01:30My strategy was a more conservative one.
01:34And when I turn at 150, that's when I engage the leg, and the moment I engage the leg, I
01:41I talk,
01:41Hey, but I have some leg space here, is there any extra?
01:44That's what gives you that final push, right?
01:47To bring home the medal, I'm going from fourth to second place.
01:51So, yes, it was planned, right?
01:53I would have liked to have had less competition and won the gold there, but the silver was a welcome addition.
01:59The waters brought good results for Brazil.
02:02In addition to the silver medal, Gustavo Borges also won a bronze in the 100-meter freestyle.
02:07Fernando Scherer, nicknamed Xuxa, also won a bronze medal in the 50 freestyle.
02:12On the seas, Robert Scheidt, Thorben Grael, and Marcelo Ferreira led Brazil to its first Olympic gold medals in sailing history.
02:20On the courts, the spotlight was entirely on women.
02:23This is the first time women have won Olympic medals in history.
02:27And there were two of them, simultaneously, in the all-Brazilian beach volleyball final.
02:34Which, incidentally, was his Olympic debut in that edition.
02:38On one side, Jack and Sandra won the gold medal.
02:42On the other side, Adriana and Mônica took the silver.
02:45A fleeting dream, in the sense of how beach volleyball made it to the Atlanta Olympics.
02:51It was four years and we were there to represent Brazil.
02:55I really didn't expect that.
02:57Of everything I had imagined, that would be the last thing I could have imagined actually happening.
03:06And I was already very excited to be playing in a final.
03:11I was a little distracted, wasn't I?
03:13I wasn't that focused.
03:14Because when I said, wow, I'm in an Olympic final, guys.
03:18How is that possible?
03:19I'm already a silver medalist.
03:22So, my head was kind of... I wasn't really focused on the game.
03:27The image of the four of us on the podium, right?
03:31A Brazilian duo, us with the Brazilian flag on our backs.
03:36I will never forget it, it's unforgettable.
03:38I think it will leave a lasting mark.
03:40But it was indoor volleyball that brought a duel with all the elements for an epic contest.
03:46In the 1990s, it was impossible to talk about women's volleyball without mentioning the intense rivalry between Brazil and Cuba.
03:54And at the Atlanta Games, the two teams faced each other right in the semifinals, both eager to reach the final.
04:02Brazil needed to give 101%.
04:04And the Cuban women came out strong, both in their game and in their provocation, determined to win that match and reach the final.
04:13This game was very much decided by details, defined by details.
04:19It was a tense game, from beginning to end, you know?
04:22And we fought really hard to be able to get past the semi-finals.
04:43I think it was, for me, one of the most contested and difficult parties I've had in my career.
04:52sports.
04:53Brazil is very high-level, all the players, all of them.
04:59And I think both teams did everything possible, absolutely everything, to achieve victory.
05:06Then someone would curse, calling people whores.
05:09We fought on the court, we fought in the locker room.
05:12A horror.
05:13It ended up at the police station.
05:14After a night of battles on and off the court, the team regrouped to return to play.
05:20the very next morning,
05:22To beat Russia and win the bronze medal.
05:25The first time a Brazilian women's volleyball team won the Olympic gold medal in history at the Olympics.
05:29And of course I couldn't talk about the Atlanta Olympics without mentioning them.
05:34Queen Hortência, Magic Paula, and Janete.
05:38The trio that led Brazil to an unprecedented final against the United States and secured the historic silver medal.
05:45for women's basketball.
05:47The feeling was like, we achieved everything we wanted.
05:51We were champions in the American, world, and South American championships, and Olympic medalists.
05:57The very thing our generation was missing.
05:59So it's the feeling of a duty fulfilled, the feeling that we succeeded, we are here.
06:05It was all worth the effort, it was all worth the dedication.
06:09There was still time for a bronze medal in the field.
06:11A result that left a bittersweet taste for Brazilians.
06:16The star-studded football team, with names like Dida, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, Bebeto,
06:22suffered a tough defeat against Nigeria in the semi-final.
06:25But they ultimately surpassed expectations to beat Portugal by a landslide and secure the bronze medal.
06:32And you, what's your favorite memory from the Atlanta Olympic Games?
06:36Or the stories you've heard?
06:39Maybe you weren't even born at the time?
06:42Anyway, share it with us in the comments.
06:45And if you enjoyed this video, don't forget to leave a like.
06:48We've prepared a super special feature on our website with all the stories.
06:52about these 30 years since the Atlanta Games.
06:56And if you enjoy Olympic sports, come join us and follow all the news on Lança.
07:01Thank you and see you next time!
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