Brazilian Gymnast Natalia Gaudio, like many of the athletes heading for Rio, she has had to overcome challenges of her own to make it to the Games.

Four times Brazilian champion. Four times South American champion. Natalia Gaudio is well known in Brazil. She carries the hopes of the host nation in the sport of rythmic gymanastics. The competition involves perfecting four disciplines: the hoop, the ball, the clubs and the ribbon which is always a crowd favorite, especially as Natalia will be performing her set to a samba rhythm.

"I think that for the public it is the most beautiful apparatus, the most beautiful to watch on TV. Everybody loves the ribbon," she said.

She began dedicating herself to the sport at age nine. When she was 13, she went to Bulgaria, where she trained with the national team.

Back in Brazil she was soon winning medals. Her success has involved overcoming many challenges, including personal ones. In 2012 Natalia was in a car accident with her best friend Duda Mello de Queiroz, a star gymnast. Duda died in the incident. Duda's mother is Natalia's coach.

"For me the experience that I can pass on to Natalia is to look in her eyes every day and say: Duda is here with us and you have to be happy because Duda is happy, wherever she is," said Monika Queiroz, coach.

When she takes to the floor in Rio, Natalia says she will perform as if Duda is there with her. She will give it her all. For her best friend, and for her country.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)