Favela Athletes

Rio de Janeiro. Here, sport is more than just a pastime. It is a

religion. 2016, the eyes of the world will be on Brio for the

greatest sporting spectacle of all, the Olympics. High above the city,

there are some 600 favelas, shanty towns that are home to roughly a

quarter of Rio's population. Few in the favelas can afford tickets to

the games, but a handful are hoping to compete. We follow three

athletes. Three favela athletes living out

their dreams of Olympic glory. 11-year-old Anneka has been a

gymnast was six years and trains every day.

She lives at the top of the favela with her family.

Anna Karen Lina, now 13 years old, is still damp is dedicated to

winning a place on the gymnastics team. But the hardships of favela

life have taken their toll on the family. One evening, things became

too much for Ana Carolina's mother. The family's difficulties and the

rigours of sporting life started to affect her training.

This 16-year-old girl's daily regime means she has to head out before

dawn. Her mother is up as well, taking

N'Jie Ivana to her training session. The daily gym sessions last several

hours, but this isn't the main part of her training.

Giovana started diving aged ten, but even now the ten metre platform

isn't easy. Due to the dedication that training

demands, her social life is limited. Physical demands have taken their

toll on her body, and could affect her chance of selection.

It is not just physical. The psychological aspects are also

weighing him down. Despite her injuries, Giovana is

back at the gym, pursuing her dreams, and her diving has taken a

change of direction. She has teamed up with another diver for the ten

metres synchronised diving category. And results speak for themselves.

They have had one success after another. Giovanna and Ingrid one

Brazil's first ever gold medal at the games in Toronto. Giovanna's

mother cannot afford to travel abroad to see her daughter compete.

Every day is an early start and a two-hour journey for this

28-year-old athlete. The journey is long, but for Jorge,

it is worth it. In 2010, Jorge came to Rio's main Paralympic training

ground in search of work and was given a job. But only months later,

a coach spotted him and offered Jorge a chance to train.

From a Flavela background with not many prospects, Jorge is now one of

Brazil's top athlete. But training doesn't come without its

difficulties. -- Favela. Jorge works in a call centre.

Jorge lives with his wife, Maria. Paralympic sport has given Jorge a

chance to step far beyond the expectations of most Favela

families. Jorge is now competing with his own records, but if he gets

to represent Brazil, he will be up against other high ranking athletes

from all over the world. A metal is never a certainty. -- medal.

Time will tell if the Favela athletes can realise their dreams.