Brazil names Olympic test event team

The test event for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympics takes place from 15 to 22 September 2015 in the Games’ competition venue, the Sambodromo, in the heart of Rio de Janiero.

Branded as Aquece Rio, which translates as “warming up for Rio”, the event will test various aspects of the Games’ operations, including transportation, logistics and security, and be the first opportunity for international athletes to compete in the venue. The event runs to the same schedule as the Olympic Games, with full individual and team events.

As host nation, Brazil has an automatic full quota of athletes for the archery events at Rio 2016.

The selection procedure for the athletes chosen to represent the host nation at a Games is one followed closely within the country and abroad. While that process is still underway, the Brazilian archery federation has announced the six-strong squad to shoot at the Aquece Rio International Archery Challenge.

Youth World Archery Champion Marcus D’Almeida, Daniel Xavier and Bernardo Oliveira comprise the recurve men’s team, while Sarah Nikitin, Ane Marcelle Dos Santos and Marina Canetta make up the women’s squad.

D’Almedia, who also became the youngest athlete to qualify for the Archery World Cup Final in 2014, then collected silver, has quickly become Brazil’s most prolific archer.

Both Daniel and Bernardo have won team medals in Pan American competition. Ane Marcelle was individual bronze medallist at the 2014 Pan American Championships, while Sarah Nikitin took bronze at the South American Games the same year, and has medalled in mixed team competition on the Archery World Cup circuit.

The rest of the Brazilian squad’s performances in the Sambodromo in September are certain to draw significant attention as the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games draw ever closer.