It was with a lot of emotion. Diogo Soares won the silver medal in the all-around at the 2002 Pan American Games on Monday. After starting eighth, Diogo gradually rose, entered the medal zone on the penultimate apparatus and ensured his presence on the podium by finishing his performance on the high bar. With 81.865, Diogo was just behind Felix Dolci (82.531) of Canada. Donnell Whittenburg of the United States won bronze with 81,764 points.

– I am very happy. We worked hard for this medal, to have a good competition. This medal represents that. This means the job was successful. There are several small stones that got in the way, but that’s what makes this medal important. It worked. We threw these stones very far. We got second place, there was good competition.

Beyond the medals at stake, Brazil was eyeing the Olympic place that would be awarded to it in the all-around competition. Arthur Nory was chosen by the Brazilian Gymnastics Confederation. To do this, he needed to be the best in the general competition, to be able to place himself behind the Americans, the Canadians and Diogo Soares, all already guaranteed in Paris. Unfortunately, the athlete felt his shoulder on the parallel bars and finished ninth, with 77,932 points. When I left the competition area, I cried.

– I don’t even need to explain it properly. I’ve cried so much since the team final, I cried a lot during the barre final, before coming here. I knew how tough the competition is, but here I am. I know it’s a very difficult role, but I never passed up the opportunity. I never gave up. I am firm, always ready to represent my sport, to represent my country in the best way possible. Unfortunately, errors happen. The heartbreak is because we know it can be done, we know it’s possible. Sometimes it doesn’t come, so you have to work hard. But I have already cried what I had to cry. Now it’s time to turn the key for tomorrow, the solo finale, then jump and slash.

As Nory did not gain a place at the Pan, Brazil continues with two guaranteed places, that of Diogo and another that it will be up to CBG to define. A third place could come from the World Cup rankings. The best two athletes in each system guarantee a place in Paris, but Brazil can only take three athletes. The ranking closes in the first half of 2024.

The Brazilians made the first rotation on the ground. Nory, bronze at the Rio Olympics, had a good performance and obtained a score of 13.833. Diogo made one of his landings a little lower and ended up with a lower score than he could have: 13.400. Nory opened the race 5th and Diogo 8th.

Diogo was not discouraged and put in a strong performance on pommel horse, scoring 13.766 and moving up to second place in the standings. Nory presented a very simple series and the score of 11.933 propelled the Brazilian to 15th place.

On the rings, third feature of the afternoon, Diogo obtained a score of 13.233 and finished 5th in the general classification. Nory, who returned to compete on the apparatus just to try to land an Olympic berth, scored 12.500 and finished 15th.

Nory and Diogo made the same jump. Nory did better and scored 14.333, moving up to 14th place, 0.8 off the Olympic spot. Diogo scored 14.033 and also moved up the rankings, placing fourth, just 0.4 away from the bronze medal with two apparatus remaining.

The Olympic place was lost in the fifth rotation. Appearing to feel his shoulder, Nory stopped the race twice and scored only 10.833. Diogo achieved an excellent score (13.833) and entered the fight for a medal once and for all by moving up to third place.

Felix Dolci of Canada, who was leading the competition, fell on the apparatus, scoring only 12.833, opening the possibility for his opponents to try to overtake him. Diogo had a safe performance, scoring 13.600, but not enough to overtake the Canadian. We had to wait for the presentations of the two Americans to know if he would get on the podium. Donnell Whittenburg scored 13,066 and was behind the Brazilian. The medal was guaranteed. The question now was to know the color of the medal. Missing was Cameron Bock, who couldn’t get past 13,600. He fell, scored only 12,466 and Diogo took silver. Nory had a great race and finished with 14,500.