In 2009, at the height of his athletic career, Cesar Cielo signs an autograph for a fan.
Photograph by Cesar Cielo, with the champion's autograph.
~ 25cm x 20cm.
Hotel Concorde Lafayette in Paris, June 2010.
Perfect condition of conservation.
Unique piece.
Known as the country of soccer, Brazil is still in its infancy when it comes to other sports. However, where there is a lack of public sector support, there is plenty of resilience and perseverance from athletes who lead Brazilian sports to triumph. Among the heroes of national sports, an unforgettable name is that of César Cielo, the only swimmer born in the country to win a gold medal at the Olympics, and the Brazilian athlete with the most medals in World Championships in any sport. Cielo's power that led him to all these glories shines through in his autographed photos, records of the athlete's triumph. This moment, however, was a path built arduously since his childhood.
César Augusto Cielo Filho was born in 1987 in the small town of Santa Bárbara D'oeste in São Paulo, and began training at Esporte Clube Barbarense while still a child. The promising youngster moved to São Paulo in 2003 to train at the well-known Esporte Clube Pinheiros, together with his swimming idol, Gustavo Borges. This experience set the course for his future; swimming pools were truly his home.
So, when it was time to attend college, Cielo moved to the United States on a scholarship to Auburn University, with the commitment to represent the university on its swimming team. Training during this period was intense, and Cielo was even forbidden from having boyfriends or going out at night. But it was also there that Cielo met Brett Hawke, the coach who ended up preparing him for the Beijing Olympics.
The 2008 Olympic Games in the Chinese capital represented the ecstasy of power and determination that marked Cielo's career. The Brazilian swimmer started with a bronze medal in the 100-meter freestyle event, breaking the South American record. However, Cielo didn't stop there; he also broke the Olympic record of 21.34 seconds in the semifinals of the 50-meter freestyle, a feat crowned with gold in the category. The athlete who started in the pools of the interior of São Paulo has reached the top of the world.
And, back in Brazil, the Olympic champion decided to dedicate his drive and energy to opening new paths for Brazilian swimming, and helping to cultivate new talents that will bring the medals of the future. Cielo founded the César Cielo Institute, whose goal is to encourage the practice of sports among Brazilian children and teenagers. The institute offers courses and support to young athletes, and ensures that the swimmer's legacy feeds new generations.
More than just an athlete, Cielo is a symbol of perseverance. The energy and strength expressed in this incredible photograph are the mark of overcoming expectations and difficulties, characteristics that allowed the athlete to write his name in the history of world sport.
