Beatriz Borges Carneiro

Started: She began practising the sport with coaches in 2010 in Maringa, Brazil. (umpm.org.br, 01 Sep 2017) Reason: She first tried swimming in her family's pool. The sport then became part of her academic development, before she was spotted by a coach who encouraged her to start competing. Her father also thought swimming would occupy her and her twin sister Debora while he was working after their mother died when they were age 11. (revistamarta.com, 02 Apr 2021; umpm.org.br, 01 Sep 2017) Awards: In February 2020 she was given a Merit Award by the Maringa Council in Brazil. (ofatomaringa.com.br, 10 Feb 2020) Additional Info: SIBLING RIVALRY She admits that she has a healthy rivalry with her twin sister Debora, who also represents Brazil in Para swimming. The pair regularly compete against each other, including at the 2023 World Championships in Manchester, England, where she finished second to Debora in the SB14 100m breaststroke. "We are sisters and we like each other, but in the pool we want to beat each other. It is a healthy rivalry because we train together and help motivate each other. Inside the pool we are rivals. This is normal. But we cheer for each other. It's cool. She gives me strength and I give her strength. I beat her records and she beats mine. It is an inspiration and our real rival is the clock." (SportsDeskOnline, 15 Apr 2024; esporte.pr.gov.br, 05 Nov 2020; paralympic.org, 26 Aug 2019; virtus.sport, 25 Nov 2017) SHARED TATTOO She and her twin sister Debora both have the animated character Dory from the film 'Finding Nemo' tattooed on one of their arms. Alongside the character is the phrase 'continue a nadar' [keep swimming]. "We are huge fans of Dory from 'Finding Nemo' because she has an intellectual disability and she suffers from recent memory loss, so we tattooed 'keep swimming'. We're just like her," said Debora. (paralympic.org, 29 Aug 2021)

Sporting Relatives: Her twin sister Debora has represented Brazil in Para swimming. She competed at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, winning bronze in the mixed S14 4x100m freestyle relay. (SportsDeskOnline, 18 Oct 2023; paralympic.org, 26 Aug 2019)