Tony Azevedo in action by the US water polo team in Rio-2016
He is captain of the US national team water polo has a silver medal in the Olympics and in Rio de Janeiro Games race for the fifth time in his career. This is Tony Azevedo, 34 athlete who was born in Brazil but is rooted in the United States since it has 1 year old.
Play Rio-2016 defending the United States was an option of the player. He was invited by the Brazilian Aquatic Sports Confederation (CBDA), but promptly refused. I would not feel free to leave the country that always embraced him.
"(The CBDA) invited me. They offered me a lot of money, but no money in the world would get me out of the United States. My entire life I lived there and many of the players who are with me here in this selection I followed since childhood. I never thought of play for Brazil, "said Tony, a native of Rio de Janeiro.
Naturalize or repatriate athletes was the policy adopted by CBDA for this Olympic cycle. At the Olympics, Brazil has Serbian, Croatian, Cuban, Italian, Spanish and also with a Brazilian who has defended Spain in previous years, Felipe Perrone. Many of these athletes come to win R $ 20 thousand per month.
The attitude of CBDA to bring these foreigners was criticized by Tony.
"I needed these gringos" fired. "Brazilian players are very strong and have many young people who are good and could help the team," said the veteran.
Although defend the United States and say feel American when it comes to polo, Azevedo does not forget its Brazilian roots. In Rio, they have fun in what will be the last Olympics of his career.
"It's very cool to finish my Olympic career at the Maria Lenk, in Rio de Janeiro. It is good because I know faar with people, know well the city. So much so that the other day the bus driver was missing the path to the location d etreino and I went there to warn you (laughs), "Tony said.
Accustomed to the American organization for major events, Tony praised the Brazilian structure for the Olympics. Only he complained only of a lack of typical items of Brazilian cuisine in the village of Athletes.
"It's very good. But no vinaigrette and crumbly. How? I do not understand. I was angry and complained (laughs)," said the American who lives in São Paulo since 2013 defending Sesi in national tournaments.
"I've been through many clubs in Europe and I can say that the Sesi is the best in which I was. At the end of anao end my contract and see what to do. But I love to live in São Paulo. The city has everything, people are great, has samba and I am close to the beach, "he says in fluent Portuguese.
The only thing that takes away the mood Azevedo to date in Rio is the campaign of the US team at the Olympics. The team conhecveu Monday its second defeat in the tournament in two calved (10-9) to Spain and is in complicated situation to advance phase.
"We're not playing as a team. Everyone is acting individually," he said.
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