The Paralympic swimming team from Indaiatuba, a city in the interior of São Paulo, retained in Ecuador due to the coronavirus pandemic since March 14, managed to return to Brazil this Monday.
On a flight chartered by the Brazilian government, the athletes and 150 other Brazilians who were unable to leave the country due to the closing of the borders embarked back home.
COMING HOME! The Brazilian Paralympic swimming team that was held in Ecuador because of the pandemic of # coronavirus is returning home with 150 other Brazilians on a flight chartered by the federal government. Look at the message from athlete Taís Bobato. @ItamaratyGovBr pic.twitter.com/pWu4ZAE2xN
- Special Sport Secretariat (@EsporteGovBR) March 30, 2020
The swimmers were in Ecuador for training at altitude, aiming at the Paralympic Swimming Open, which serves as a selective stage for the Tokyo Paralympic Games. The competition would take place between the 26th and 28th of this month.
The team tries to return to Brazil on the 14th, but the airport in the city of Cuenca was already closed. They had to face 450 kilometers by bus to the capital Quito, to have more flight options.
