RIO DE JANEIRO, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The Corinthians athletic club announced on Thursday their newest attraction at the club, Olympic champion swimmer Cesar Cielo.
After nearly two months of negotiations, Cielo verbally agreed to sign with the club during their 100th year anniversary.
Another big-name swimmer to join Cielo is the women’s star, Poliana Okimoto. “We reached a verbal agreement with both swimmers. The contracts are not yet signed, but we plan on sealing the deal and announcing their arrival sometime next week,”said the director of aquatic sports at Corinthians, Fernando Alba.
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| Swimmer Cesar Cielo waves after receiving his Best Brazilian Olympic Male trophy in Rio de Janeiro December 21, 2009 |
Alba admits that as of now, the club does not have the money to pay for the athletes. However, he claims that the model used to bring in Ronaldo will be used to raise the money for Cielo and Okimoto.
Alba claims that just as in the case with Ronaldo, the athletes will attract investments and financial contribution with their image, thus making the transaction profitable for both parties.
Cielo is currently in the United States participating in his first event of the year. At the GP in Austin, Texas, Cielo and the rest of the male swimmers will have to use a speedo as the larger X-Glide body suits have been banned from competitive swimming.
Cielo admits to be far from his ideal weight and physical preparedness, but hopes that his new contract with Corinthians will help to get him back in form. He is expected to return to Brazil after the swim meet and receive a hero’s welcome at Corinthians.