Fernando Pimenta asks for greater public investment in canoeing

O canoista Fernando Pimenta defended today a greater appreciation of sport in public policies, criticizing the training conditions of sports athletes and the lack of investment in sport.

“ We live a little in the shadow of football ", said the Olympic medal, during a panel of ExpoFut, held at the headquarters of Liga Portugal, in Porto, with the participation of the former triathlete Vanessa Fernandes.

Pepper questioned the application of the normal VAT rate of 23% to sports goods, which it considers counterproductive in view of the demand to encourage physical activity, while maintaining a high tax burden on the equipment necessary for its practice.

The canoeist defended a reduction in taxation, proposing that part of the revenue collected reverts directly to the financing of sport, as a way to stimulate sports practice and improve the conditions of athletes.

The Olympic medalist also denounced the difficulties faced daily, including problems of air conditioning and access to hot water in the facilities where he trains.

“ The only thing that separates the outside from the inside of our gym is a stainless steel sheet. Sometimes it is even colder inside the gymnasium than outside,” he said.

Pimenta considered that these adversities force athletes to develop increased resilience and regrets the inequality of resources between modalities, despite the international results achieved by Portuguese representatives.

“ Today, sincerely, it is more for satisfaction and pleasure for what I do, not for the support that I have at the moment ", admitted the canoeist, who continues in activity.

Vanessa Fernandes also considered that Portugal has “a long way to go” in the monitoring of sportsmen, especially in the period after the end of her career, pointing to the need for greater public intervention in the preparation for this transition.

“In sport, we never know when our career ends. There's no part where, at 60, I'm retired. You can stop at 30 and start a new life”, warned the silver medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The former triathlete stressed the importance of academic training and the development of other skills, considering that the absence of a solid basis can make adaptation to life particularly difficult after high competition.

“It is not to be forgotten. For me, it is more the way they continue to be treated or integrated into society”, said Vanessa Fernandes, arguing that athletes should be free to choose a new professional course.

ExpoFut took place between Wednesday and today, at the Liga Portugal Arena, in Porto, with the participation of athletes Fernando Pimenta and Vanessa Fernandes in the panel “How the Olympics see football.”.