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Overview
- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva received alpine skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen in Brasília and said he is “more Brazilian than many people who live in Brazil.”
- Braathen’s Olympic triumph marked Brazil’s first medal in the event and the first Winter Games gold in Latin American history.
- Born in Oslo to a Norwegian father and Brazilian mother, Braathen previously competed for Norway before choosing Brazil after a career pause.
- The skier said he opted to represent Brazil for the freedom to be himself and to inspire the next generation beyond the medal itself.
- Lula highlighted that sponsors typically arrive only after victories and stressed the state’s role in supporting athletes, with attendees including First Lady Janja, Sports Minister André Fufuca, Central Bank chief Gabriel Galípolo, Senator Leila Barros, and COB president Marco La Porta.