Cláudio Castilho: CBAt, Brazilian Athletics, and Running Scene

Key current projects include:

• Athlete Support Programs: Designed for developing and high-performance athletes, with different levels of financial support, travel assistance, and participation in camps and international competitions. Approximately 146 athletes are served, aiming to provide the necessary "leap in quality."
• Brazilian Road Running Championship: Launched this year, the championship has regional stages in all five regions of Brazil, culminating in a grand final. The top qualifiers will advance to the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark. The goal is to be an inclusive model that "shines a light on all regions" and discovers new talents, supporting athletes with financial or logistical difficulties.
• Promotion of Athletics: Through 82 Athletics Training Centers (CFAs) spread across Brazil, CBAt supports the discovery and development of talents aged 6 to 18, serving nearly 9,000 children. Support includes resources and professional training for coaches.
• Institutional Representation: CBAt maintains a close relationship with governmental spheres (municipal, state, federal) to promote public policies and access resources for sports development, always with responsibility and accountability.

The Revitalization of the Ibirapuera Track

An important milestone is the renovation of the Ibirapuera athletics track, which had been out of use for events since 2014. Following public mobilization and the site's designation as a heritage landmark, CBAt joined a working group for the executive project of restoration. The track will be the only one with nine lanes in South America, fully compliant with current world athletics standards. The inauguration and the return of the Troféu Brasil de Atletismo in July promise a historic event at the "home of Brazilian athletics."

A Career Dedicated to Athletics

Cláudio Castilho shares his journey, which began with the ambition to be an Olympian, not as an athlete, but as a coach. His time at Esporte Clube Pinheiros, where he spent 24 years, was fundamental. He led the revival of athletics at the club, transforming it from 29th to third in the team rankings, investing in athletes and seeking external support. This successful model was expanded to Pinheiros' 16 Olympic sports, which in 2019 had its most victorious year ever.

Castilho's philosophy has always involved continuous study, both in technical areas (physiology, training) and in management and human development. He emphasizes the importance of "understanding people" to deal with amateur and professional athletes.

Coach Training: World Athletics Levels

Castilho details the World Athletics (WA) coach certification levels, from Level 1 (beginner) to Level 4 (Olympic). To advance through the levels, prerequisites such as national champion or internationally ranked athletes are required. He himself is one of the few Brazilian Level 4 coaches, highlighting the need to encourage more coaches to reach this level.

Professional vs. Amateur Athletes: A Behavioral Analysis

Cláudio Castilho draws parallels and differences between professional and amateur athletes. Both face goals, setbacks, and anxieties, but the major distinction lies in resilience and the ability to solve problems with a focus on results, regardless of obstacles. He cites examples like Caio Bonfim and Alison dos Santos (Piu), whose persistence and determination led them to outstanding results, often overcoming disappointments.

For high-performance athletes, the challenge is not just to achieve a result, but to repeat and maintain it, which requires dedication and sacrifice. For amateurs, Castilho emphasizes the need to adjust expectations and, at times, "say no more often than yes" to avoid frustration, given the tendency to pursue unrealistic goals without proper preparation.

He expresses concern about the current state of Brazilian distance running, which has seen results fall short of world standards. Castilho stresses the importance of athletes and coaches taking more risks and being bolder, as he did with Adriana Silva to break the Brazilian marathon record in 2012, seeking altitude training camps and international competitions without guaranteed support. The culture of merit and the search for talent are crucial to reverse this trend.

The Road Running Phenomenon in Brazil

Cláudio Castilho recalls the growth of road running in Brazil, since the 1980s, when runners were seen as "crazies." In the 90s, with the popularization of group training, the movement gained strength, especially in places like USP and Ibirapuera Park.

In 2000, Castilho led the creation of the Association of Running Coaches (ATC) to organize the segment, which was already facing challenges with the increasing number of participants. He served as president of the ATC for two terms, from 2000 to 2006. Today, road running is a mass phenomenon, with Brazil being a market that "sets trends" for the global sports industry.

Finally, Cláudio Castilho reiterates his passion for his work, the importance of sharing quality information and good stories to motivate and teach. At 57 years old, with 46 of those dedicated to athletics, he remains active and committed to the development of the sport in Brazil.