Carol Santiago is the country's biggest gold medalist

Carol Santiago from Pernambuco became the Brazilian woman with the most gold medals in the Paralympics, totaling five in her career. The medal was won in the 50m freestyle in the S13 class (class for people with visual impairment), in Paris 2024, finishing the race in 26s75, a title previously held by sprinter Ádria dos Santos with four gold medals between 1992 and 2014.

The athlete considers the 50m freestyle her favorite event, and even though she felt prepared, she was very nervous at the start of the event. At the end of the competition, the medalist said she felt very happy and satisfied with the result. Thus taking first place, bringing another gold to the country's swimming rankings.

Carol is part of the Bolsa Atleta Program. So far, Brazil has 14 swimming medals in Paris. “Our country is very proud of having so many medalists in the largest sports incentive program. It’s always great to celebrate these achievements with them.”said the Minister of Sports, André Fufuca.

_{Carol after the gold medal result (Photo: reproduction/Instagram/@mariacarolinasantiago)}

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Curiosity

Carol's medal this Friday (31) came in the S13 class, for athletes who have a lesser degree of visual impairment than her, who usually compete in the S12 class. However, the 50m freestyle does not have an S12 class in the Paralympics, which meant that the Brazilian had to compete with rivals with better vision than her. Even so, she won the long-awaited gold medal.

Biography

Born in Pernambuco on August 2, 1985, Carol has Morning Glory syndrome, a rare condition that affects the nervous system and has reduced her vision to 30% of its capacity. She started swimming at the age of four because of the low impact the sport would have on her impaired vision. At the age of 12, she was already competing in competitions for athletes with disabilities and in open waters. However, five years later, she went completely blind for eight months due to the accumulation of water in her retina. She recovered, but gave up the sport. She only returned to swimming ten years later, when she was 27.

The athlete says that she has always been passionate about sports and that the results of the competitions can inspire new athletes, especially women, so that they can see that it is possible and not limit themselves.

Featured Photo: Carol Santiago poses for a photo with the gold medal she won at Prais 2024 (Reproduction/site/Globo Esporte/ Giovanna Pinheiro)

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