Manex Silva completes race in Beijing and becomes record holder in Brazil

Manex Silva, 19, competed in his last race at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. He participated in the 50 km cross-country ski race – reduced to 30 km for weather reasons – and completed the course in 1:33:11.8, in 58th place.

The young Acre, thus, finished his fourth competition in the Chinese event. He, who had already performed in skiathlon, sprint and 15 km, set a record and became the first Brazilian to participate in four Olympic tournaments in the same edition of the Games.

“Participating in the Olympic Games was very positive. I’m happy, but not completely satisfied. I think I could have done a little more, and that motivates me to continue training hard. I have four years ahead of me for the next one,” he said.

Before thinking about the 2026 Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, Silva will carry the Brazilian flag at the closing ceremony in Beijing. He is looking forward to this moment, which will take place this Sunday (20).

“I think it will be a unique experience. Until now, I have only seen these ceremonies on television. It is an important event, and I am very happy to carry the flag of a country as big as Brazil”, he declared.

In the race disputed by Silva on Saturday, the gold went to Russian Alexander Bolshunov, who had already triumphed in skiathlon and in the 4 x 10 km relay. Already in curling, hit TV ratings, Sweden won a tough dispute with Great Britain.

After ten ends, as the partials of the game are called, reminiscent of bocce, the tie persisted. Led by Niklas Edin –the skip, who works as captain and leads each team play–, the Swedes were more efficient in the end and won 5-4.

Edin thus completed his collection of Olympic medals. In Sochi, Russia, in 2014, he won bronze with the Sweden team. In Peyongchang, South Korea, in 2018, he took silver. Now, alongside Oskar Eriksson, Rasmus Wranaa and Christopher Sundgren, he has won gold.