Marcus D’Almeida’s path started early. While he only dreamt of the FIFA World Cup, in the land of football, he started shooting archery.
In 2012, aged 14, he discovered his archery idol on television: fellow countryman Daniel Xavier, who was competing in the London Games.
Four years later, aged just 18, the Brazilian was selected for his home Olympics, in his hometown of Rio, alongside his role model. The memory of those home Games will stay with him forever.
“I think the French will feel the same as I do: it’s a unique experience,” he says. “Everyone is there, as well as your family, and for me, there was even a group from a samba school who came to play, families from my neighbourhood.”
Despite not winning a medal, young Marcus learnt and progressed alongside Daniel Xavier. While he did not yet consider making a living from archery, he did observe the work ethic of a professional.
“He’s someone who trains a lot,” he says. “He taught me what it really means to train, the volume of arrows shot.”
“When I met him, archery was his main activity, and in Brazil, very few people devoted themselves entirely to shooting. It was motivating to be around him.”
Alongside another Olympian, Bernardo Oliveira, they together ended Brazil’s 32-year drought at the Pan American Games by winning team bronze in Toronto in 2015.
Before Marcus took off on his own.
