Brazil is bidding for the 2016 Olympics.
Current World FX Champion Hypolito says he cannot retire until after those Games.
From the Portuguese, by Google Translate:
With only 21 years old, the gymnast Diego Hypolito already builds a bicampeonato world, the Pan-American title and classification for the Olympics in Beijing. The detail is that all these achievements have been achieved in just one year: 2007. Now, Diego believes in the future and says that his career still must last three more Olympic Games.
— I want to compete until some 34 years. Certainly, if I still have financial support and my own results, disputarei the Olympics of 2016. It is a dream compete in the Games of the River We must fight hard to achieve hosting the competition – said the gymnast on the application of the Brazilian city. …
— I am offended when they say that we are a sport amateur. Treinamos seven hours a day. Our work is professional, the remuneration to win it is amateur. But I believe that people are already with a different look to us.
With problems with Olympic Team preparation in Australia, and France, it’s great to see such enthusiasm coming from the Brazilians.
This post comes from the excellent Gymblog Brazil (Portuguese) which looks influenced by Gymblog edited by Blythe Lawrence.
Here’s Diego’s flawed 2007 World Championships gold medal Floor routine. (Makes me wish stylish Kyle Shewfelt has competed.)
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Diego Hypólito – Wikipedia
Diego Hypólito – official website
Gymnastics Coaching.com 