Volleyball player Isabel Salgado died early this Wednesday (16), at the age of 62, at the Sírio Libanês hospital, in São Paulo. The former athlete was stricken with pneumonia that developed complications, leading to a case of acute respiratory syndrome.
"We confirm the departure of one of the most important athletes this country has ever had. At the moment, the family is gathered, and we will not give any statement. We ask for everyone's understanding. This will be done as soon as possible", said the advisory. She was fine until last week, according to reports from friends.
Last Monday (14), Isabel had been announced by the vice-president-elect, Geraldo Alckmin, as a member of the sports working group in the transition to Lula's government.
Isabel Salgado was born in Rio de Janeiro, on August 2, 1960. She started playing volleyball for Flamengo at the age of 12 and was Brazilian champion in 1978 and 1980. Her success at the club led her to land a place in the Brazilian national team, and she soon gained space on the team. She defended Brazil at the Olympic Games in Moscow (1980) and Los Angeles (1984) — the first team in the country's history to compete in major tournaments.
Even though her most important medal for the national team was a bronze one at the 1979 Pan American Games, in San Juan, Isabel made history. She was an important part of a generation that put Brazilian volleyball on the map of world sport and paved the way for athletes who would later raise the country to the top of the sport.
The athlete migrated from the courts to the sand in 1992 and was world champion of the Miami stage in the pairs category with Roseli, two years later. The modality became popular and debuted at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, but Isabel did not compete. She ended her career in 1997.
Translated by Cassy Dias