No amid a heated contest for the presidency of the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB), the current president’s re-election bid faces strong opposition from athletes and various factions. Hortência Marcari, a former basketball player and current representative in the Ministry of Sports, has called on Minister André Fufuca to clarify his stance on the matter.
“This is a crucial moment for an important entity in Brazilian sports. How can there be no official statement?” Hortência expressed during an interview.
Paulo Wanderley, the current COB president, took office in 2017 following the resignation of Carlos Arthur Nuzman, who was under investigation by federal authorities for bribery related to Rio de Janeiro’s selection as the host city for the 2016 Olympics.
Wanderley successfully ran for office in 2020 and submitted his candidacy again this year, appointing Alberto Maciel Júnior as his running mate just before the deadline for submissions.
Several associations of Olympic athletes, including the Athletes Commission of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, which Hortência is part of, have publicly opposed Wanderley’s candidacy. They cite violations of COB’s regulations and the Pelé Law, which prohibits a third consecutive term.
The athletes believe that if Wanderley’s candidacy proceeds, it could jeopardize federal funding to the COB, affecting confederations and athletes alike.
On the other hand, Wanderley defends his candidacy with a legal opinion commissioned by COB, stating that his initial term was a temporary appointment following Nuzman’s resignation, thus allowing him to seek what he deems his first re-election.
The COB’s ethics committee has also signaled its support for his re-election bid.
The Ministry of Sports has indicated it received an inquiry from the COB regarding the election process and is currently reviewing it. “Once the analysis is complete, the findings will be made public,” the ministry stated.
Legal opinions from both the Ministry and the Federal Justice regarding similar cases suggest that re-election could lead to the suspension of public funding, which by 2025 will include revenue from betting activities.
“The COB recently signed a R$ 160 million sponsorship deal. If the ministry confirms the negative legal opinions on re-election, as it has been doing, the COB risks losing this sponsorship,” Hortência warned.
Despite their efforts to secure a meeting with Minister Fufuca to discuss the elections, athletes have not received a response.
“We are facing significant issues with the primary body governing our sport—the Brazilian Olympic Committee—and it’s vital for the Ministry to provide its stance. So far, we haven’t seen that,” Hortência, who is also a member of the Pact for Sports movement, remarked.
“Will the ministry only speak after the elections? That could lead to serious complications,” she added, alluding to the potential for suspending government funding to the COB.
Believing that Wanderley’s candidacy lacks legitimacy, Hortência hopes that the 19 athlete voters will unite in support of the opposing candidates, Marco La Porta and Yane Marques.
Voting in the October 3 elections will also include the 34 presidents of the Olympic confederations affiliated with the COB and two Brazilian members of the International Olympic Committee.
A silver medalist at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Hortência pointed out that the lack of professional management in Brazilian basketball is hindering the nation’s ability to compete for medals in future Games.
The men’s team reached the quarter-finals in Paris, losing to the United States, while the women’s team failed to qualify for the last two Olympics.
“Brazilian basketball has never had a professional management structure. We were world champions in 1994 and Olympic silver medalists; yet, opportunities were not capitalized,” she concluded.
