Silver that feels like gold
At the Beijing Olympics 2008, 22-year-old Vanessa Fernandes won the silver medal, the first Olympic medal in triathlon for Portugal.
Vanessa Fernandes
She was the only Portuguese representative in the competition, a fact that the triathlete considered to have conditioned the course of the race: “To race alone is very complicated. I tried to lead in the bike and I couldn’t, and then, in the run, I didn’t feel good in the first laps. When I managed to impose my rhythm, everything became easier”.
Vanessa Fernandes
Vanessa Fernandes
Vanessa ended up having an excellent race, with a time of 1h59min34s. She crossed the finish line after Australian Emma Snowsill, embracing her right after, in a gesture of great fair play.
Her performance was very positive: “It’s more than gold. It is an important medal and it feels very good. It’s a fantastic feeling. Starting the week like this is spectacular!”
Vanessa Fernandes’ shoes worn at the Beijing Olympic Games
18 August 2008
National Museum of Sport
Other Highlights
Participation of Benfica Athletes in the Olympic Games
Olympic Football - First participation of Benfica athletes in the Olympic Games
1928
Manuel Dias - A marathon with obstacles
1936
Luís Howorth -
Benfica’s first and only participation in shooting
1952
Athletes quartet
- Casimiro, Eleutério, Matos Fernandes, and Paquete
1952
Alexandre Yokochi - Expectations exceeded in swimming debut
1984
António Leitão
- Bronze medal
1984
High hopes for young stars
- High moment of the “red” swimming
1988
Diogo Madeira
- Three participations, constant evolution
1996
Uchenna Emedolou
- Second “red” bronze medal
2004
Nelson Évora
- First gold!
2008
Athletics
- A handful of good performances
2016
Telma Monteiro
- The medal she fought so hard for
2016
