TITLE:
Three Athletes, Two Countries and a Single Club: The Process of Identity Formation of Immigrant Sailors in Brazil
AUTHORS:
William Douglas de Almeida, Katia Rubio
KEYWORDS:
Immigrants, Sailing, Olympic Games, Brazilian Olympic Athletes
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.4 No.3,
March
23,
2017
ABSTRACT: Brazil received a large number of German immigrants in the late 19th century and in the first half of the 20th century. Their adaptation process involved both economic and social factors since they took part in several institutions, such as schools and sports clubs. This paper aims at describing the route taken by three immigrants (Joaquim Roderbourg, Klaus Hendriksen and Burkhard Cordes) who were born in Germany, took root in Sao Paulo, Brazil, between the 1930’s and the 50’s, and represented Brazil in the Olympic Games as sailors. It aims at understanding their migration process, adaptation and decision to become Brazilian. The method was based on biographical narratives. Even though they migrated at different times, points in common were found in the subjects’ routes, since they constructed a relation with Brazil which went beyond sports.