Anderson in a meeting with the president of CBTKD when he was named “Ambassador” of the sport. Photo: Disclosure
Anderson Silva He never hid that competing in the Olympic Games was one of his biggest goals. But now the former UFC champion, who had already publicly announced his withdrawal from the goal, began to take the first steps towards realizing his old dream. Spider sent a letter to the Brazilian Taekwondo Confederation (CBTKD) in which he expressed his desire to be part of the Olympic team for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
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“Everyone knows that for a high-performance athlete, the Olympic Games are every athlete's dream and so, it would be no different for me. When I was given the title of sports ambassador by President Carlos Fernandes, this feeling became even stronger and, being in my country, this Olympic spirit made me very motivated. It will be an immense pleasure to be part of this golden team, which has a serious institution, led by President Carlos Fernandes who greatly honors us, together with his entire team. Therefore, I record here my desire to represent Taekwondo and Brazil at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. With all my esteem, strength and honor”, wrote the fighter, in the document released by the Confederation itself.
The organization also highlighted that President Carlos Fernandes “welcomed the news” and “will meet personally with Anderson Silva this week to jointly evaluate this magnificent possibility.” A public statement by Anderson and CBTKD was also announced, but with no official date yet, in which information on the meeting's progress will be updated.
Although CBTKD has invitations available for the Olympic tournament in Rio, Anderson Silva You would have to meet at least two requirements before competing for vacancies. Firstly, Spider needs a taekwondo fighter's license. Next, he would need to have at least one of the following results before April of next year to be eligible for a position at the Games: have been at some point among the top 20 in the Olympic rankings, be among the top 16 in the World Championship of the sport , reach at least the quarterfinals of the Pan-American Championship or win the Brazilian Championship.
Takewondo has been an Olympic sport since 2000, when the Games took place in Sydney (Australia). To date, in four participations, the best Brazilian result in the sport was Natália Falavigna's bronze medal in 2008, at the Beijing Olympics (China). In total, for the 2016 edition, Brazil is entitled to eight places: four for being the host country and another four that can be won by Brazilian athletes thanks to their position in the Olympic ranking.
Currently, Anderson Silva, who has a professional record of 34 wins and six losses, is temporarily suspended and awaits the final judgment of his doping case, which should take place in May. On February 3rd, a few days after winning Nick Diaz at UFC 183, it was announced that Anderson Silva had tested positive for the anabolic steroids drostanolone and androsterone in a surprise anti-doping test carried out on January 9th. A second examination, carried out on the 19th of the same month, did not show any trace of illegal substances. In the post-fight examination, however, Anderson tested positive again for anabolic steroids and, in addition, also for two anxiolytics, Oxazepam and Temazepam, medicines generally used to combat insomnia and sleep disorders.
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