The Brazil Olympic Committee (COB) this week released a survey of 589 Brazilian athletes representing the country in Toronto, Canada, the Pan American Games.
One of the questions in the questionnaire was: “Who is your main reference in the sport?”. Ayrton Senna was the 103 in their responses. Gustavo Kuerten, former tennis player, was second on the list with 31 mentions.
The F-1 triple world champion also had competition from major international idols enshrined in the sporting world as Michael Jordan (basketball), third on the list with 20 supporters. Between Ayrton fans are great gold medal of these Games: Tiago Camilo (judo), Fernando Reis (weightlifting), Cassio Rippel (shot) and Etienne Medeiros (swimming).
“Ayrton Senna was part of my childhood. I always woke up when he was racing F-1. Was very strong what he conveyed, the McLaren car in front, the theme song of victory and he with the flag in his hand. In fact, I only understood it better when I met him. Biographies, videos, documentaries and film. His story is inspiring, you can’t met such dedicated athlete any more , determined and with desire for greater victory than his. An icon and certainly my idol, “said Tiago Camilo in an interview for Globoesporte.com.
The Brazilian team at the Pan has won more than 100 medals and is the current third place in the ranking of the competition. Leadership is the US, followed by Canada. The competition started on the 10th of this month, will have the Closing Ceremony on Sunday (26).
source: Ayrton Senna Official