Maria Bueno and the Olympic Torch Relay

Last week Maria Bueno attended a photo-shoot to promote the Olympic Torch Relay, which starts in earnest ahead of the Rio Olympic Games on 3 May 2016 in Brasilia and visits 300 cities and towns around Brazil.

She talks about the Olympics and the torch in a short film available to view on YouTube:

The story was also picked up by many of the national newspapers in Brazil, who published it on the day of her birthday, 11 October: –

Torch Bearer

“Maria Esther Bueno, 75, already knows how to hold the Olympic torch that will be used in the relay, starting on May 3 next year: continental grip, the same as she used in the golden years of her tennis career.

“The way she used the racquet, and her style on the court, in an on-court career spanning more than 20 years, made her into the most famous ‘Paulista’ in tennis history, while winning 589 titles made her a country heroine.

Reason enough for the eight-time Wimbledon champion, three in singles and five doubles, plus another 11 Grand Slam trophies, to be the one of the responsible for promoting the carrying of the torch ahead of the opening of the 2016 Olympic Games, in 300 days.

But Maria Esther never played an Olympics because tennis was not an Olympic sport between 1928 and 1984 tennis, when it became a demonstration sport and then returned fully in 1988 until this day.

“It’s a shame that I could not participate in the Olympic Games because tennis was not part of the Olympic family. It was the only major title that I was missing,” said the tennis legend when visiting the headquarters of Folha de S. Paulo, [Sao Paulo’s prominent newspaper].

“I would have loved to have been able to participate and represent Brazil well at the Olympics but it is never too late, and now I am involved with the torch,” she added.

Maria Esther is an integral part of the Bradesco campaign, selecting bearers of the Olympic torch to kick things off in May.

“I nominated a great friend of mine, Romeo Trussardi Neto, who, besides being a great tennis player, is one of the most traditional families in Brazil and has always helped the sport,” said Maria Esther.

The businessman was appointed by Maria Esther alongside other athletes in the campaign.

The idea is that anyone without political connections can participate in the torch relay and nominations can be made at www.bradesco.com.br/tocha site until next Thursday 15 October.

“It’s a great honour. I thought I had done everything in the sport, but now to be involved with the Olympic torch and running with the torch, is sensational,” she said.

She is not concerned about running the 200 meters of her planned route because she still plays tennis day-in and day-out.

Maria Esther believes that the Swiss Roger Federer and American Serena Williams are the favourites for tennis gold at Rio-2016.

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“I’ll be there, I’ll hit some balls with them,” she joked.

“The biggest names, Federer, [Rafael] Nadal, [Novak] Djokovic, Serena, are all keen to participate in the Olympics in Rio.

“For mostly the older players, it may be their last chance to experience Rio and the country, and I am sure we will will stage the best Olympics of all time.”

Brazil has never won an Olympic medal in Tennis.

“It’s hard, but all in the key players have a chance,” analysed Maria Esther.

The happiness of being with the torch increased when she thought of London 2012, when tennis was played on the same courts where she reached the pinnacle of her career.

“In London, the tennis event was played at Wimbledon (at the All England Club], my favourite club, and it was great.

“I also got close to many other sports, with those fabulous athletes, and it was a beautiful and unforgettable experience,” she recalled.

At 75, she shows up enthusiastically to meet with students aged between 7 and 8 years from the Ophelia São Paulo Fonseca college, who were also visiting the headquarters of the newspaper while she was there.

Immediately the Olympic spirit kindled the children’s interest as they came together with the torch in her hand.

Read more: Folha de S Paulo

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Maria comments

“I had a really good time filming and doing the photo-shoot with the torch last week,” said Maria Esther.

“It’s amazing to see the interest just the sight of it generates in people walking by.

“As for the torch campaign, I was thrilled to nominate Romeu and he was equally thrilled to get involved.

“The Olympics is just huge and to have it here in Brazil next year is amazing.

“We will do a great job, I’m sure, despite reports of sites not being ready, budget cuts and so on. We always do! Just look at how successful the World Cup was over here.

“The tennis centre is coming together and we can now see what the main showcourt will look like.”

“The Olympics will be an enormous boost for sport across the country and South America, so we have to do a great job!”

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The Olympic Tennis Centre

The Olympic Tennis Centre will be part of the Olympic Training Centre (OTC), a key legacy of the Rio 2016™ Olympic Games.

For the Olympic Games, a total of 16 courts will be provided across a site area of nine hectares.

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Temporary seating and facilities will be used to supplement permanent infrastructure to meet Games requirements.

The Olympic Tennis Centre is located within the Rio Olympic Park Precinct in close proximity to the Olympic and Paralympic Village, IBC/MPC and other key facilities.

Legacy: After the Games, nine courts will be maintained as part of the OTC, providing a strong legacy for the sport, and also providing a much needed competition venue for major tennis events in Brazil.

Olympic Sports/Disciplines: Tennis

Paralympic Sports/Disciplines: Wheelchair Tennis

Gross seating capacity (Olympic and Paralympic Games): 10,000 (Central Court); 5,000 (Court 1); 3,000 (Court 2); 250 (Other courts)