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Juliana Viana Vieira made history at Paris 2024, becoming the first Brazilian to win a badminton match at the Olympics. “I’m proud of the journey I took to realize one of my greatest dreams – the Olympics,” Vieira shared. “The best part was being among top athletes and making history for Brazil. I’m thrilled to have achieved this for my country.”
The Brazilian Olympic Committee, Badminton Pan Am, and the Brazilian Badminton Confederation (CBBD) provided essential support on her path to Paris. Vieira expressed gratitude for the CBBD’s backing, “CBBD supported me in every tournament, helping me qualify. I’m especially thankful for the pre-Olympics training in France.”
From an early age, Vieira knew that her ambitions would require sacrifices. Starting badminton at six, she understood she’d have to be away from family to pursue her goals. “Leaving family behind was tough, but it’s something we athletes go through. We often lack free time to spend with loved ones.”
Coaches and teammates became like family, motivating her through challenging times. “Preparing for Paris was demanding, especially with the mental pressures of the Olympics,” said the 2021 South American Games gold medalist. She credited her coach, Marco Vasconcelos, for his trust and support, and her teammates for pushing her to her best.
Today, Vieira’s Olympic journey has earned her a spot on the Olympic wall at the Badminton Pan Am office, a mark of pride she carries as she aims to keep improving.
