Carla Oliveira

Started: She was introduced to boccia at age 14. (publico.pt, 06 Sep 2016) Reason: She was unable to compete until age 16 and was not interested in doing the sport just for pleasure, so gave it up for several years. She returned to boccia at about age 20. "I decided to see what it would have to offer me. It was when I started training, and especially competing, that things changed and I started to see boccia in a different way. Maybe because I was very competitive myself." (publico.pt, 06 Sep 2016) Awards: In 2022 she received the Medal of Merit from the Portuguese Paralympic Committee. (radiocampanario.com, 27 Nov 2022) She and fellow Portuguese boccia player Pedro Clara received the 2013/14 Golden Dragon Award for Para Sport from FC Porto in Portugal. (pluralesingular.pt, 08 Oct 2014) Additional Info: MATERNITY BREAK She was out of competition for around a year from 2022 to 2023 to give birth to her daughter Gabi. While pregnant she won a gold medal at the 2022 World Cup in Povoa di Varzim, Portugal. (observador.pt, 12 Aug 2023; sportmagazine.pt, 03 Aug 2022) FURTHER EDUCATION She has studied for a master's degree in educational sciences at the University of Porto in Portugal. (ualmedia.pt, 31 Mar 2022) OCCUPATION She has worked for the FC Porto sports club in Portugal. "After obtaining my master's degree, I had the opportunity to work with FC Porto, specifically in the Para sports section. I am involved in organising boccia demonstrations and building relationships with institutions, schools, and prisons. We raise awareness of how sport can make a difference." (agoraporto.pt, 25 Sep 2023)