Giovanna Lacerda: Olympic Cycle, Military Service, and Rio 2026 World Cup
Triathlete Giovanna Lacerda shares insights into her intense journey for an Olympic spot, highlighting challenges and crucial institutional support.
Elite triathlete Giovanna Lacerda discusses her relentless pursuit of an Olympic berth. She details the essential support from the Brazilian Triathlon Confederation (CBTri) and the Brazilian Army for her career. Lacerda also shares her expectations for the Rio World Cup and the challenges of balancing competitions and training.
In a revealing conversation with Bruna Mahn during coverage of the World Triathlon Cup Rio de Janeiro, triathlete Giovanna Lacerda opened up about the complexity and passion driving her journey toward her first Olympic participation. The interview, conducted behind the scenes of the competition in Copacabana, delved into the sacrifices, support systems, and strategies of a high-performance athlete.
The Pursuit of the Olympic Dream and Its Challenges
With the Olympic cycle underway, Giovanna revealed the intensity and fatigue that mark this crucial phase. "The first Olympics feels like desperation," she commented, describing the relentless pursuit of results and the volume of races and travel. Despite the fatigue, which manifested after a promising start to the year, the athlete remains focused on performing her best in every competition. One strategy to manage fatigue is to plan longer training blocks, such as the one she will have after the World Cup in Paraguay, seeking a more solid preparation sequence.
Financial Strategy and the Role of Local Competitions
Despite being an elite athlete, Giovanna Lacerda has faced challenges related to a lack of sponsors. This leads her to adopt smart strategies in her race calendar, such as participating in the Metrópoles Triathlon. The decision to compete in this event in Brasília was motivated by its proximity to home and, crucially, by the prize money. Giovanna explained that, without more sponsors, prize money provides vital financial support. She used Metrópoles as a strategic "training session," even changing her registration from Olympic distance to Sprint to arrive at the Rio World Cup with less fatigue.
Essential Support from CBTri and the Brazilian Army
For a high-performance athlete like Giovanna, institutional support is fundamental. She highlighted two pillars in her career:
Brazilian Triathlon Confederation (CBTri)
The CBTri offers significant support to national team athletes, covering registration fees, accommodation, and daily allowances for specific races. Some athletes, like Giovanna, also receive monthly support, which, although not substantial, makes a big difference. This structure, often in partnership with the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB), allows triathletes to participate in important World Cups and WTCS (World Triathlon Championship Series), which would otherwise be financially unfeasible. "If I weren't supported by the Confederation, I'd have to choose between races," she stated, highlighting the importance of this support for her competition calendar.
Brazilian Army: Discipline and Structure for the Athlete
Giovanna Lacerda is also part of the Army Sports Commission (CDE) program, designed for high-performance athletes. She joined as a sergeant in 2022 through a public competition based on her resume. This affiliation with the Army represents her primary source of income and offers an unparalleled training facility at ESEFEX (Army Physical Education School) in Rio de Janeiro. The location features a gym, track, pool, and access to open water in Urca, all within a secure environment. Beyond the physical structure, Giovanna emphasizes the sense of family and the integral support she receives, which motivates her to seek even better results. "It's a privilege to be a part of this," she emotionally confessed, regarding the honor of representing not only Brazil but also the Armed Forces.
The Rio World Cup: The Boost of Competing at Home
Competing at home, with the Brazilian crowd, always brings a special energy for Giovanna. Despite the "weight" of responsibility, she feels confident for the Rio World Cup. Her race strategy includes a strong swim—preferably without a wetsuit—followed by fast, aggressive cycling with many attacks on the turns. The run, as she joked, will be "whatever God wants, whatever legs are left." The triathlete hopes for crowd support to give her an "extra boost" to swim, cycle, and run with all her might.
Giovanna Lacerda's journey is a clear example of the dedication and resilience required in high-performance sports. Her trajectory demonstrates how individual talent combines with institutional support and the strength of the sports community to pursue the biggest dreams, such as a spot in the Olympic Games.