The tide almost always goes in the other direction, many Brazilians go to the United States year after year to get a green card and live the American dream. In the world of sports, the same rules do not apply.

Tatiana Weston-Webb was born in Brazil but grew up on the island of Kauai, considered by several travel publications as paradise on earth. The girl who has always surfed in Hawaii announced a few weeks ago that she would now surf in Brazil.

It was Olympic fever, of course.

The first reading of the announcement of the change of nationality of the blonde was simple: The hierarchy of qualification for the Tokyo Olympics is that firstly, the CT qualifies with a maximum of two athletes per country; in the CT there was only one Brazilian (Silvana Lima) and Tatiana, who has an even better ranking. By simply staying in the CT this year, the next one will have a ranking and therefore (since another Brazilian will not be included) she is guaranteed in Tokyo.

What perhaps everyone did not visualize was that a few days after having told the world that her new flag was that of “Ordem e Progreso,” Tatiana was already signing a support plan with the Brazilian Olympic Committee, which includes all tickets, accommodation and meals in all tournaments of the year, money and access to the training program used by the best elite athletes in Brazil.

A few days later, Oi, one of the leading telephone companies in Brazil, was closing a contract with the company born in Porto Alegre.

Tatiana had only the support of Body Glove and the energy drink brand RockStar, but it can be said that the decision to move to Brazil has turned out to be an excellent business.

And surely more stickers will come on your board.

 

Today I am excited to announce that, continuing ahead, I will be representing Brazil both on the WSL Championship Tour and in preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. This is an important decision for me because I am very involved. Most people don't know that my country is in England and my country is in Brazil. I feel truly blessed to have been raised on the beautiful island of Kauai - both in the community and on the waves playing an important role in the formation of who I am as a surfer and as a person. Eu sou very pleasant for this, but as all of you know. Brazil is the country where I was born and has always been part of what I am and, recently, I was approached by the Brazilian Surf Confederation and the Brazilian Olympic Committee, with the opportunity to represent Brazil. It was always a dream of mine to compete in the Olympics and when surfing was announced as an official Olympic sport, I knew that my dream had a chance of becoming a reality. O Brazil has a big part of my heart. We have family, friends and an incredible amount of support. It's a place that always makes me feel at home. I am very proud to represent such an incredible country with so much passion and dedication to our sport. This move gives me the opportunity to represent Brazil in 2020, all the vague things have to be conquered and I will try better to qualify as one of the few surfers capable of representing their countries in the Olympics. I consider myself very happy to have the support of two people from Havaí, from Brazil and from the world. Obligated to all to understand, respect and support my decision. So today I'm excited to announce that, moving forward, I will be representing Brazil on both the WSL Championship Tour as well as in preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. This is a best decision for me and one that I'm really excited about. Most folks aren't aware that my Dad is originally from England and my Mom is originally from Brazil. Brazil is where I was born, but I feel truly blessed to have been raised on beautiful Kauai - both the community and (please read the rest below)

A publication shared by Tatiana Weston-Webb (@tatiwest) the Apr 30, 2018 at 9:05 PDT