Gari who sweeps streets in Irajá represents Brazil in the Deaflympics and returns from Turkey with the silver medal

Marina Moares, a street cleaner who works daily sweeping the streets of the Irajá neighborhood in the North Zone of Rio, represented the Brazilian futsal team during the 20th Winter Deaflympics, held in the city of Erzurum, Turkey, from March 2 to 12. Marina won the silver medal in the final against Spain.

– It was an unforgettable moment for me. I already knew some of the girls from the team from playing with me on the field. The time together was super nice, with everyone focused on representing the deaf community. The final was on my birthday. Even though I lost, I celebrated a lot, because it was my first futsal competition and because I had helped my country win a medal. I was full of emotion – celebrated the street cleaner, who has worked at Comlurb for nine years.

Marina plays for the Rio de Janeiro Association for the Deaf (Asurj) and has won several medals in Brazilian championships and the Copa Brasil, as well as three participations in the Deaflympics for the Brazilian national team. She is also a handball player. The street cleaner athlete spoke about the enriching experience of living in such a different culture.

– It was a unique experience in Turkey, I had my first contact with the snow, the culture and the food of the country. Communicating with athletes from other countries, speaking different languages, in sign language, was really cool, it shows our ability to overcome barriers – he said.

Marina made a point of thanking her friends and colleagues at Comlurb, since if it weren't for their support in collaborating with the Vakinha Online campaign she created, she wouldn't have been able to travel to represent the country:

– I would like to thank my family, first of all, and my friends and the company's employees who were able to help me travel and make my dream come true. I represented my country and the company, which has a super-athlete street cleaner on its staff – he said.

The athlete already has plans for the future and says she will continue to fight and train hard to seek more space in future international competitions for the deaf, both in soccer and futsal. Brazil's campaign in women's futsal at the Deaflympics included victories over Japan, Italy, Ireland and Great Britain.

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March 19th, 2024

Appointments: Brazil stations Iraja medal talk Deafthreshold Turkey