Councillor reveals São Silvestre tribute, director: “Much affection” | OneFootball

On the night of this Friday, during a Solemn Session in the Noble Hall of the São Paulo City Council, the traditional São Silvestre International Race was honored with the Silver Salva for its 100th edition, which will take place on December 31.

The initiative for the tribute came from councilwoman Renata Falzoni (PSB), who shared behind-the-scenes details of the decision. A journalist by training with vast experience in the field, the politician revealed that the idea to celebrate the 100th edition of the São Silvestre coincided with her first year in office—an opportunity that, according to her, could not be missed.

Renata Falzoni’s relationship with the São Silvestre began back in the turn of 1984 to 1985, when she covered the race for the first time. After so many coverages, her perception of the physical effort of elite athletes, but also of amateurs, came naturally. The journalist’s focus, however, was the joy of the runners at the back of the pack.

“Every athlete who crosses the finish line of this event is a great winner, because of the difficulties in training, lack of time, a lot of time lost in transportation. To run, people have to find impossible schedules, because not just anyone can run 15km, you have to be trained. Everyone at the starting line deserves a prize and a medal,” the councilwoman emphasized.

(Photo: Thais Bueno/Gazeta Press)

The São Silvestre moves not only thousands of runners, but also mobilizes workers directly and indirectly in its organization. In the 100th edition, for example, 55,000 people are registered for the race.

“You fill the streets with people running, with happy people on the last day of the year. It’s very significant. It’s an event that is in its 100th edition, it didn’t start yesterday. For sure, the São Silvestre has faced many difficulties. Nowadays, an event that still takes over the streets of the city… you can be sure there was a lot of political pressure for it not to happen anymore. That’s what happened with the 9 de Julho, an event we have a lot of difficulty bringing back to the streets. But not the São Silvestre. It’s an unquestionable brand, and by tradition, we implement a very necessary public policy, which is street sports,” said Renata.

Director reacts and values the tribute

Erick Castelhero represented the Cásper Líbero Foundation alongside Laerte Gueller Junior, administrative and financial superintendent. The executive director valued the tribute to the São Silvestre and highlighted the affection of the City Council for the traditional street race.

“It’s a gesture of affection from the Council. It’s the People’s House looking at a race that is made for the people. It was a great honor for us at the Foundation to receive this tribute. We also collaborated with the preparations to organize this event, to invite personalities, the champions. It’s a great gesture of affection for the race, and we reciprocate by delivering an important event for the city,” he said in an interview with Gazeta Esportiva.

Currently, the São Silvestre is held in the morning on a 15km course and is part of the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) calendar. Scheduled for December 31, the 100th edition of the race is already sold out, with the start and finish on the famous Avenida Paulista.

“We are celebrating a historic moment, and this tribute comes with an emphasis on the importance of what the race means to the city. It gives back. It moves the city, promotes the city. It moves the economy. It’s a very honorable tribute for us, and we know the Council chose this special moment because it’s an event that marks not only the city, but Brazil and the world. The São Silvestre was a reference, it exists in more than 40 countries. In Portugal, we had Rosa Mota as a six-time champion. It’s a universal event,” Erick concluded.

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TV Gazeta’s plans for the São Silvestre

In recent years, many people have come to disassociate the São Silvestre from TV Gazeta. General superintendent Juliana Alganãraz has plans to restore the connection between the traditional race and the broadcaster.

“Gazeta is part of Cásper Líbero, of the Cásper Líbero spirit. Something that’s really crazy is that people think the São Silvestre Race belongs to Globo, and we need to start bringing the race much closer to us, so that Gazeta can take ownership and promote the race as it deserves to be promoted,” Juliana emphasized, explaining how the plan was put into action.

“This year, the organization is really great. Erick is doing an amazing job with the production company working with us. With my arrival, the difference is that we’ve just created a publicity strategy via Gazeta for the São Silvestre Race, which wasn’t done in previous years. We’ll have publicity on Rádio Gazeta, we’re talking about it on our own screen, with the spinning logo that counts down the days to the race. We’re doing a special project, a documentary. We’re bringing this São Silvestre identity into Gazeta,” concluded the general superintendent.

General superintendent of TV Gazeta, Juliana Algañaraz was one of the honorees of the night at the São Paulo City Council (Photo: Thais Bueno/Gazeta Press)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.