FIVB President - Mundial de Vôlei de Praia
FIVB President - Mundial de Vôlei de Praia
FIVB President - Mundial de Vôlei de Praia
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Cortesia <strong>FIVB</strong>/<strong>FIVB</strong> Courtesy<br />
Sandrinha diz que se sente preparada para<br />
parar e que vai pensar aos poucos sobre os<br />
planos para o futuro: “Quero voltar a estudar,<br />
mas ainda não tenho certeza se volto a fazer<br />
Educação Física. O Comitê Olímpico Brasileiro<br />
me convidou para trabalhar na campanha<br />
pelas Olimpíadas Rio 2016. Gosto <strong>de</strong> ser<br />
comentarista, mas não é uma ativida<strong>de</strong> que<br />
preenche todo meu tempo. E também estou<br />
aguardando respostas <strong>de</strong> projetos sociais<br />
que pretendo colocar em prática. Estou sem<br />
pressa, em paz”.<br />
Três vezes campeã do Circuito <strong>Mundial</strong> (com<br />
Jacqueline em ’95 e ’96 e com Ana Paula em<br />
’03), campeã mundial em Los Angeles ’97<br />
também com Jacqueline, e ouro nos Jogos<br />
da Amiza<strong>de</strong> (ao lado <strong>de</strong> Tatiana Minello, em<br />
Brisbane, Austrália, ’01), Sandra é categórica<br />
ao afirmar que com o esporte “se apren<strong>de</strong><br />
muita coisa <strong>de</strong> vida”, como dividir quartos<br />
e tarefas, entrar em contato com diferentes<br />
culturas, fazer amiza<strong>de</strong>s ao redor do planeta,<br />
<strong>de</strong>scobrir o que é, <strong>de</strong> fato, companheirismo,<br />
e lidar com sentimentos (euforia, frustração,<br />
alegria, tristeza).<br />
Fazendo um retrospecto da vitoriosa carreira,<br />
Sandra diz que não tem do que reclamar. “Graças<br />
a Deus nunca me machuquei seriamente e<br />
precisei me afastar por muito tempo, tive bons<br />
patrocínios, disputei Olimpíadas e conquistei<br />
medalhas e conduzi a ban<strong>de</strong>ira brasileira na<br />
cerimônia <strong>de</strong> abertura <strong>de</strong> Sidnei ’00. Fui 100%<br />
<strong>de</strong>dicada. E quando você faz o seu melhor,<br />
sente-se com missão cumprida”.<br />
A partir <strong>de</strong> 21 <strong>de</strong> abril, quem quiser ver Sandra<br />
Pires jogando, po<strong>de</strong> procurar pelas diversas<br />
re<strong>de</strong>s espalhadas pela orla carioca. “Às vezes<br />
estou em Ipanema, às vezes no Leblon”, conta<br />
a atual Rainha da <strong>Praia</strong> brasileira.<br />
Cortesia <strong>FIVB</strong>/<strong>FIVB</strong> Courtesy<br />
Cortesia <strong>FIVB</strong>/<strong>FIVB</strong> Courtesy<br />
Cortesia <strong>FIVB</strong>/<strong>FIVB</strong> Courtesy<br />
Sandrinha, as she is referred to, says she is<br />
ready to retire and will think carefully about her<br />
future plans. “I want to go back to university, but<br />
I’m not sure whether I will apply for continuing a<br />
Physical Education program or not. The Brazilian<br />
Olympic Committee has invited me to work on Rio<br />
<strong>de</strong> Janeiro campaign to host the 2016 Olympic<br />
Games. I enjoy being a TV commentator, but that<br />
does not fulfil all of my free time. Besi<strong>de</strong>s, I’m<br />
still awaiting a reply to carry out some social<br />
projects I have <strong>de</strong>veloped. I have no hurry at all.<br />
I have my peace of mind.”<br />
Three times World Tour champion (with<br />
Jacqueline in 1995-96 and Ana Paula in 2003),<br />
World Champion in Los Angeles 1997 (also<br />
with Jacqueline), and gold medal winner at<br />
the Goodwill Games (together with Tatiana<br />
Minello in Brisbane, Australia 2001), Sandra<br />
strongly believes that sport “teaches you a lot<br />
of life stuff”, such as sharing rooms and chores,<br />
getting in touch with new cultures, making<br />
friends all over the world, finding out what<br />
fellowship is all about, and <strong>de</strong>aling with feelings<br />
(bliss, frustration, joy, sadness).<br />
As she looks back in her career, Sandra remarks<br />
that there is nothing she can complain about.<br />
“I’m glad I have never injured myself seriously<br />
and had to be away from the games for a long<br />
time. I have always counted on good sponsors,<br />
played at Olympic Games, won medals, and<br />
carried the Brazilian flag at the Sydney Olympic<br />
opening ceremony in 2000. I have <strong>de</strong>dicated<br />
100% of myself to sport. And when you do<br />
your best, you certainly have a feeling of<br />
accomplishment.”<br />
After April 21, Sandra Pires may be seen close<br />
to the several volleyball nets spread out along<br />
Rio <strong>de</strong> Janeiro beaches. “Sometimes I’m<br />
playing at Ipanema, sometimes at Leblon,” says<br />
the present Queen of Brazilian Beaches.