BRAZIL: LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS: Arthur Zanetti, Brazils first Olympic gymnastics champion, returns home to Sao Paulo
Record ID:
331043
BRAZIL: LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS: Arthur Zanetti, Brazils first Olympic gymnastics champion, returns home to Sao Paulo
- Title: BRAZIL: LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS: Arthur Zanetti, Brazils first Olympic gymnastics champion, returns home to Sao Paulo
- Date: 9th August 2012
- Summary: ****SOME FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY**** SAO PAULO, BRAZIL (AUGUST 9, 2012) (REUTERS) SAO PAULO'S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BRAZIL, SAO PAULO AND MERCOSUR FLAGS CLOSE OF THE NAME OF SAO PAULO'S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BRAZIL'S FIRST GYMNASTICS CHAMPION, ARTHUR ZANETTI, ARRIVING AT SAO PAULO'S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN CLOSE OF ZANETTI AND PEOPLE CHANTING "CHAMPION" ZANETTI TRYING TO WALK THROUGH CROWD OF PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN ZANETTI WAVING AND LEAVING AIRPORT INSIDE A CAR GENERAL VIEW OF CAESAR PARK HOTEL, WHERE NEWS CONFERENCE TOOK PLACE ZANETTI AND HIS COACH ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE CLOSE OF ZANETTI SHOWING GOLD MEDAL PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZIL'S FIRST GYMNASTICS CHAMPION, ARTHUR ZANETTI, SAYING: "It is just now that I landed here that I'm coming to my senses; I've never seen anything like that, ever. I was a little bit frightened, but this is part of it and this medal is really good for Brazil's gymnastics and for new generations that are starting right now and can use it as an example and be more motivated to go on." PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZIL'S FIRST GYMNASTICS CHAMPION, ARTHUR ZANETTI, SAYING: "Bring the Olympic Games to Brazil was an achieved goal and the year is not finished yet; there is the national championship, club competitions and international championships, so each competition is a different goal." PHOTOGRAPHER ZANETTI AND HIS COACH POSING FOR PHOTO SAO CAETANO DO SUL, BRAZIL (AUGUST 9, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ZANETTI ON A FIRETRUCK WAVING TO FANS IN HIS HOMETOWN FAN TAKING PHOTO OF ZANETTI ZANETTI ON A FIRETRUCK WAVING AT FANS FANS OBSERVING ZANETTI FAN TAKING PHOTO OF ZANETTI ZANETTI ON A FIRETRUCK WAVING AT FANS
- Embargoed: 24th August 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Brazil
- Country: Brazil
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA6MRLVQAGNAT362ZG6SV7YPWF5
- Story Text: Brazil's Olympic golden boy arrived in Sao Paulo's international airport on Thursday (August 9) amid the adulation of fans and the national media.
Gymnast Arthur Zanetti surprised the world by putting on a flawless performance to take gold in the men's rings category in London, automatically making him the poster boy for Rio 2016.
In a raucous news conference, Zanetti showed off his Olympic gold medal, talked about his newfound fame, and expressed his hopes that others would follow in his footsteps.
"It is only now that I landed here that I'm coming to my senses; I've never seen anything like this, never. I was a little bit frightened, but this is part of it and this medal is really good for Brazil's gymnastics and for new generations that are starting right now and can use it as an example and be more motivated to go on", he said.
With all eyes upon him, the pressure is on for Zanetti to deliver the same kind of performance in four years time, when the Games come to his country.
"Bring the Olympic Games to Brazil was an achieved goal and the year is not finished yet; there is the national championship, club competitions and international championships, so each competition is a different goal", he said.
On Thursday, he paraded around his hometown, Sao Caetano do Sul, in the state of Sao Paulo, to the delight of local residents and well wishers.
For the next few days, Zanetti will bask in the fame and celebrity status gained this summer.
So far, Brazil has won two gold medals-- Zanetti's and one in judo-- two silver medals-- in beach volleyball and swimming-- and four bronze medals. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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