0:00:01 > 0:00:05Now on BBC News, Favela Athletes.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11Rio de Janeiro.
0:00:11 > 0:00:16Here, sport is more than just a pastime.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19It is a religion.
0:00:19 > 0:00:24In 2016, the eyes of the world will be on Brio for the greatest
0:00:24 > 0:00:29sporting spectacle of all, the Olympics.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32High above the city, there are some 600 favelas,
0:00:32 > 0:00:36shanty towns that are home to roughly a quarter
0:00:36 > 0:00:38of Rio's population.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42Few in the favelas can afford tickets to the Games,
0:00:42 > 0:00:46but a handful are hoping to compete.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48We follow three athletes.
0:00:48 > 0:00:58Ana Carolina, Giovanna and Jorge.
0:01:00 > 0:01:06Three favela athletes living out their dreams of Olympic glory.
0:01:23 > 0:01:2811-year-old Ana Carolina has been a gymnast for six years
0:01:28 > 0:01:32and trains every day.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55She lives at the top of the favela with her family.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Ana Carolina, now 13 years old, is still dedicated to winning
0:04:49 > 0:04:55a place on the gymnastics team.
0:05:20 > 0:05:26But the hardships of favela life have taken their toll on the family.
0:05:39 > 0:05:45One evening, things became too much for Ana Carolina's mother.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07The family's difficulties and the rigours of sporting life
0:06:07 > 0:06:11started to affect her training.
0:07:45 > 0:07:4916-year-old Giovanna's daily regime means she has to head
0:07:49 > 0:07:53out before dawn.
0:08:02 > 0:08:08Her mother is up as well, taking Giovana to her training session.
0:08:58 > 0:09:03The daily gym sessions last several hours, but this isn't the main part
0:09:03 > 0:09:07of her training.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35Giovana started diving aged ten, but even now the ten metre
0:09:35 > 0:09:40platform isn't easy.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08Due to the dedication that training demands,
0:10:08 > 0:10:12her social life is limited.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46Physical demands have taken their toll on her body,
0:10:46 > 0:10:50and could affect her chance of selection.
0:11:31 > 0:11:32It is not just physical.
0:11:32 > 0:11:37The psychological aspects are also weighing her down.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20Despite her injuries, Giovana is back at the gym,
0:12:20 > 0:12:23pursuing her dreams, and her diving has taken
0:12:23 > 0:12:27a change of direction.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30She has teamed up with another diver for the ten metres
0:12:30 > 0:12:34synchronised diving category.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23And the results speak for themselves.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27They have had one success after another.
0:14:27 > 0:14:35Giovana and Ingrid won Brazil's first ever gold medal
0:14:35 > 0:14:40at the Pan-Am Games in Toronto.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44Giovana's mother cannot afford to travel abroad to see
0:14:44 > 0:14:46her daughter compete.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Every day is an early start and a two-hour journey
0:15:50 > 0:15:55for 28-year-old Jorge.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26The journey is long, but for Jorge, it is worth it.
0:16:58 > 0:17:03In 2010, Jorge came to Rio's main Paralympic training ground in search
0:17:03 > 0:17:08of work and was given a job.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11But only months later, a coach spotted him and offered
0:17:11 > 0:17:14Jorge a chance to train.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23From a favela background with not many prospects,
0:18:23 > 0:18:27Jorge is now one of Brazil's top athletes.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42But training doesn't come without its difficulties.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53Jorge works in a call centre.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23Jorge lives with his wife, Maria.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Paralympic sport has given Jorge a chance to step far
0:20:25 > 0:20:31beyond the expectations of most favela families.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Jorge is now competing with his own records,
0:21:13 > 0:21:17but if he gets to represent Brazil, he will be up against other
0:21:17 > 0:21:22high-ranking athletes from all over the world.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25A medal is never a certainty.
0:21:46 > 0:21:53Time will tell if the favela athletes can realise their dreams.
0:23:12 > 0:23:12Good morning.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16On balance, the second part of the weekend is looking a bit
0:23:16 > 0:23:17cloudier than the first part.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19That cloud is likely to bring some rain.