Sports
Travessia Poliana Okimoto: History, Insights & Growth
With over 3,000 athletes and a Vega Sports partnership, TPO consolidates its foundation and evaluates plans for new states.
Created to honor the legacy of the Olympic medalist, Travessia Poliana Okimoto now gathers more than 3,000 athletes per stage. Ricardo Cintra details the behind-the-scenes creation of the race, the rise of aquathlon, and the challenges of expanding across Brazil.
Created to celebrate and preserve the Olympic medalist's open water legacy, Travessia Poliana Okimoto (TPO) has become one of the most sought-after events on São Paulo's open water swimming calendar. What started as a small, family-run operation now draws thousands of sea lovers to races with high technical and organizational standards.
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From DIY setups to over 3,000 participants
In the event's early days, logistics were entirely manual. Coach Ricardo Cintra recalls pulling all-nighters assembling race kits and organizing every detail by hand alongside Poliana and close friends. Their dedication paid off: the race grew steadily and surpassed the 3,000-participant mark in its latest edition, boosted by the rapid rise of aquathlon in the schedule.
Partnership with Vega Sports and delivery standards
A major turning point in the event's maturity was bringing on Vega Sports, a renowned organizer of road races and major sporting events. The connection was made after Marcão, Vega partner and former soccer player, attended an event in Guarujá. Impressed by the atmosphere and the potential of open water swimming, the company joined TPO as a partner to bring logistical muscle and professionalism to the competition.
For Cintra, carrying Poliana's name on the event brings added responsibility. The priority has always been to protect the athlete's image by delivering a seamless race, with safety and infrastructure for swimmers of all skill levels.
Expansion plans and caution with new states
Success in São Paulo often brings requests for editions across other regions. Before the pandemic, organizers planned a five-stage calendar that included destinations such as Fortaleza and Itajaí. The global health crisis put those plans on hold, and the current strategy focuses on stability: delivering two well-executed annual stages along the São Paulo coast.
While staying cautious about overextending—given the tight margins and intense operational workload of open water events—the door remains open for future expansion. Coastal areas of Santa Catarina (such as Bombas, Bombinhas, and Itapema) and the Northeast, especially Fortaleza with its strong swimming community, remain top contenders should TPO decide to explore new waters.
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