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Rio 2016 Cisco Athlete Ambassadors

Introducing: Rio 2016 Cisco Athlete AmbassadorsCisco, a proud supporter of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is partnering with some of Brazil’s most talented athletes on the road to Rio. As the official network equipment and specialized hardware services provider for the Games, we’ll be demonstrating all the ways we’re connecting more people to the Games and more Brazilians to technology. Our athlete ambassadors will share their stories on their road to Rio—all while educating people along the way about the power that sport and technology have in transforming and making lasting connections.

Like, follow, and ask our ambassadors questions as they train and prepare for Rio.

“We always joke that the Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Switch is a world record holder because it’s been in more Olympics than any athlete. Since Sydney 2000,

at least. That’s sixteen years. People trust it.”

— Leonardo Ferreira, Cisco Systems Engineer

Marcus Vinicius D’AlmeidaHometown:

Technology you can’t live without: Favorite pretraining meal:

Age: Sport:

Rio de Janeiro, RJ 17 Archery

My mobile phone A good breakfast of milk, bread, cheese, eggs, and ham

Born in Rio, Marcus moved at the age of 12 to Maricá, a small seaside city where the Brazilian Archery Confederation has its headquarters. Referenced by the World Archery Federation (FITA) as a “rising star,” Marcus had an almost-perfect year in 2014—getting silver in the Youth Olympic Games, reaching the World Cup Finals, and being nominated as one of the five top archers of the world. Now, at the age of only 17, he has the coolness of a veteran when it comes to decisive competition moments, and has become a Brazilian hope for Rio 2016 in a sport that is still growing in Brazil.

facebook.com/marcus.v.dalmeida @mv_dalmeida

Flavio CantoHometown:

Technology you can’t live without: Favorite pretraining meal:

Age: Sport:

Oxford, United Kingdom 39 Judo

My smartphone Fact is, I never eat before training

Flavio Canto is considered a prime example in Brazilian sport of someone who blends competition results and dedication to social work seamlessly. To some, winner of the bronze medal at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games would be enough, but his greatest accomplishment is the creation and management of a nongovernmental organization that since 2003 has promoted human development and social inclusion through sport and education. Every year, approximately 1000 kids, teenagers, and young adults from poor communities in Rio benefit from the institute’s projects. Flavio has also started a promising career as a TV presenter at Rede Globo and will be part of the team of former athletes who will participate in the Rio 2016 broadcasting.

@flaviocanto @flaviocanto

Yane MarquesHometown:

Technology you can’t live without: Favorite pretraining meal:

Age: Sport:

Afogados da Ingazeira, Pernambuco 31 Pentathlon

My mobile phone Strawberry greek yogurt and granola

In London 2012, Yane Marques won a bronze medal in a still relatively unknown sport in Brazil. She is currently the only woman from the southern hemisphere to have an Olympic medal in modern pentathlon, which is considered one of the most complete and difficult sports in the Olympic Games. She also showed Brazil and the world that this didn’t happen by chance, achieving consistent results in 2013 and 2014. Outside of sport, Yane is a Sergeant in the Army Sports Commission of Rio de Janeiro, giving her the discipline needed for the difficult training in the five different events that make up modern pentathlon: swimming, fencing, horse riding, pistol shooting, and running.

facebook.com/pentayane @yanepentatlo

Photo Credit:Valterci Santos/AGIF/COB

Yohansson NascimentoHometown:

Technology you can’t live without: Favorite pretraining meal:

Age: Sport:

Maceió, Alagoas 27 Athletics

An Internet connection Brazilian meal of rice, beans, mashed potatoes, meat, and salad

Born without both hands, Yohansson Nascimento learned in his early days how to overcome difficulties, always with a positive attitude and high spirit toward life. At the age of 17, he had his first introduction to running and is now considered one of the top Paralympic athletes in the world. He’s also one of the favorites to earn medals in Rio 2016. Yohansson is a sprinter and competes in a wide range of Olympic events. In London 2012 he won a gold medal in the 200m T46, and silver medal in the 400m T46. In Beijing 2008, he won a bronze medal in 100m T46.

facebook.com/yohanssonnascimento

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For more information on what Cisco is doing in Brazil, visit www.cisco.com/br/rio2016, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.