When the 200 breaststroke Maria Lenk results of Brazilian Henrique Barbosa were vacated, that left him shy of a time that would qualify him for the World Championships in Shanghai based on the marks set by the CBDA. His loss turned into Tales Cerdeira’s gain, as Cerdeira was the next swimmer in line to inheret that spot.
That was, however, before anyone asked Cerdeira. According to best.co.br, he has declined the opportunity to travel to the World Championships in Shanghai, and instead will maintain his current training plan to compete in the Military World Games that will take place in Rio from July 16th-24th. The Military World Games are a quadrennial competition held at rotating sites specifically for military sportspeople. The event, which hosts 24 sports including some specific to the military like the aeronautical pentathalon and parachuting, will host 4,900 athletes from 100 countries.
It’s hard to blame Cerdeira for the decision. He currently sits 19th in the world in the 200 breaststroke, but a last-minute about face and a shift of his training schedule by a week would’ve likely resulted in a poor peformance at the World Championships anyways. Instead, he can continue upon his preset course for the MWG’s in his home country. This will also likely allow him the opportunity to compete in more than just his one event.
There were no other Brazilian swimmers under the CBDA time standard, which means that Thiago Pereira will be the lone Brazilian to swim this race in Shanghai.
If I were Cardeira, i would have also chosen the same.
Based on his pb, he could easily win gold in the military games, which would give him much better recognition (especially since the event is in his home country) and possibly rewards and supports.
In Shanghai, he may not even qualify for semis, let alone final.