A total of 10 athletes have secured places on an Aspire Academy for Sporting Excellence training camp ©QOC

A total of 10 athletes have secured places on an Aspire Academy for Sporting Excellence training camp following the Qatar Olympic Committee’s (QOC) “Shine” competition in Rio de Janeiro.

Around 200 competitors took part at the event in the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games host city.

The aim of the “Shine” project is to provide support and assistance to young athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds from across Rio.

It is hoped the initiative will help leave a legacy in Rio following the conclusion of the Games.

Athletes competed in 24 sports, with the performance of the day coming from talented sprinter Gabriel Oliveira Constantino.

The 21-year-old clocked a superb 10.47 seconds in the men’s 100 metres, just 31 hundredths of a second shy of the Olympic qualification time and his display earned him one of the 10 spots at the training camp.

Five males and five females will be able to use the world-class sporting facilities on offer at the Aspire Academy for Sporting Excellence, whose alumni include London 2012 high jump bronze medallist Mutaz Barshim.

The athletes will travel to Qatar with Brazil’s Arnaldo de Oliveira, the Olympic bronze medallist and founder of Futuro Olimpico, who partner with the QOC on the “Shine” project, later this year.

Brazil’s multiple world and Paralympic champion Terezinha Guilhermina gave inspiring advice to the athletes at the event in Rio
Brazil’s multiple world and Paralympic champion Terezinha Guilhermina gave inspiring advice to the athletes at the event in Rio ©QOC

“The Qatar Olympic Committee believes in the power of sport to change lives and we were determined to ensure that we grasp the opportunity of the Rio 2016 Games to leave a positive impact on young athletes in Rio de Janeiro,” QOC secretary general Thani Al Kuwari said.

“This will provide a true legacy for both Brazil and Qatar.

“It is our sincere hope that our Shine project will provide invaluable support for these athletes on their journeys to become Brazil’s next Olympic heroes.

“We look forward to following their progress as their careers develop.”

Al Thani was one of several QOC delegates who witnessed the “Shine” competition, while Brazil’s multiple world and Paralympic champion Terezinha Guilhermina was also in attendance.

“Sport had an amazing impact on my life,” the three-time Paralympic sprinting gold medallist said.

“I went from being Terezinha Guilhermina, the one who dreamed, to Terezinha Guilhermina, the one who achieves her dreams.”