Swimming: Olympic champion Ana Marcela secures spot at Paris 2024
Reigning Olympic champion in open water Ana Marcela Cunha has qualified for the Paris Games in France. On Saturday (Feb. 3), she came fifth in the 10km race at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar. She needed to finish in the top 13. Brazil has now clinched 148 Olympic places in Paris across 27 disciplines.
“The goal has certainly been achieved. I’ve changed a great deal in the last year, and being here fighting for this spot is really important to me. I’m going to have another chance to make history in Paris. I’ll have six months to continue training and competing. I’m really happy,” said Ana Marcela, who will be taking part in the fourth Olympic games of her career.
Another Brazilian, Viviane Jungblut, also qualified for the games by finishing 14th in the same event. She benefited from France being guaranteed at least one place as host country for the Olympics, as it placed two athletes among the 13 best in Doha. As each nation can only qualify two swimmers, one of those French places will be reallocated to the Brazilian, who will be making her Olympic debut.
The open water races at the World Championships in Doha continue Wednesday (7) with both men’s and women’s 5km races. The mixed 4x1500m relay will be contested Thursday (8).
