Brazilian Olympian Felipe Lima Becomes U.S. Citizen

Olympian and individual bronze medalist at the 2018 FINA Short Course World Championships, Felipe Lima of Brazil, has become a United States citizen. The 33-year-old made the initial announcement via Instagram and confirmed to SwimSwam that his formal ceremony and oath-taking will be in a couple of weeks.

“When the dreams come true! Happy to say “I’m American”. Thank you for all who truly trusted on me and helped me on this journey!,” is how Lima expressed his excitement at the news. He elaborated to us that, “I love to live in America and when I came here, becoming a citizen was my dream.

“To represent America at some point is what I want,” says the Brazilian national record holder.

Lima says he will continue to represent Brazil through the Tokyo 2020 Olympic cycle and then see where things go from there.

The Brazilian took 50m breaststroke bronze in Hangzhou, as well as bronze as a member of his nation’s 4x50m medley relay. Before that, Lima had taken the 50m and 100m breaststroke gold at the 2018 South American Championships, setting championship records in each. Lima currently trains under Coach Sergio Lopez at Pinnacle Racing at Virginia Tech.

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ChattyBr
5 years ago

Having multiple citizenships is great. Independent of the country.
Representing the US team after representing Brazil all of life is shameful and embarrassing.

Jorge
5 years ago
Woke Stasi
5 years ago

I’m betting that Lima will not be taking a knee when the Star Spangled Banner is played (unlike some soon-to-be Tuck MBA students).

Congratulations, Felipe!

Swammer
Reply to  Woke Stasi
5 years ago

Again why the hate on the pro America comments?

neo
Reply to  Swammer
5 years ago

War is war… move if you do not like it…

bobo gigi
Reply to  Swammer
5 years ago

I don’t see what is anti America to protest police violence against black people. It’s not again the country. They only fight injustice. These guys who peacefully protest are so much more American than their critics who hide behind the flag and the national anthem to, in fact, hide their racism. And these far right people who talk 24/7 about free speech absolutely hate free speech when it’s against their ideology. What a bunch of impostors! The biggest one living right now in the White House.

Woke Stasi
Reply to  bobo gigi
5 years ago

Bobo: I’m really enjoying what the Gilets Jaunes (Yellow Vests) are doing in France now. I’m also enjoying watching the approval ratings of your man-boy president Macron go down the toilet — currently at 18%. He seems like just another elite a$$hole telling the everyday Frenchman what he should be thinking.

Dee
Reply to  Woke Stasi
5 years ago

I was in France last weekend, to see my beloved Saracens give Lyon a whipping in the rugby, and I have to say I didn’t see a single yellow-vested protest. Perhaps I was lucky, or maybe Lyon didn’t attract the same anger as Paris. Anyway, France isnt crumbing, and Macron would probably still win an Election were it held today. Reminder that less than 0.05% of French people took part in gillet jaunes protests. France will be just fine.

AfterShock
Reply to  Woke Stasi
5 years ago

I wouldn’t be surprised if he got down on both knees. To kiss the ground beneath him.

Antônio Carlos do nascimento Silva
5 years ago

Se é o sonho dele acho que cada um deve correr atrás disso , mais faltou aquele patriotismo que você ver em atletas representando países e levando o nome aonde ele for

Coach John
5 years ago

the article says he is competing for Brazil through to the 2020 olympics… he isn’t switching yet (most likely due to the lengthy process required)

Captain Ahab
5 years ago

Congratulations Felipe Lima!

Superfan
5 years ago

Is his wife an American?

Hswimmer
5 years ago

Why is he becoming an American citizen and racing for Brazil? Is it just because it would take a while to get everything together before Tokyo?

Socaladvracer
Reply to  Hswimmer
5 years ago

There are other advantages to being an American than just swimming on Team USA in Olympics, have you seen the crime and way of life for most Brazilians?

Ervin
Reply to  Socaladvracer
5 years ago

“way of life” really man?

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Socaladvracer
5 years ago

as if there wasn’t a high rate of crime in the Use …..lol

bobo gigi
Reply to  ERVINFORTHEWIN
5 years ago

Yes, Ervinforthewin. It’s hilarious. USA is one of the most dangerous nations in the world but looks like even some Americans are not aware of that. When you can’t buy a Kinder Surprise egg but easily buy a gun, you know there’s a problem. And about the standard of living, again, looks like most of Americans don’t even realize that the biggest economic power in the world, USA, is in fact in many ways a third world country. No universal healthcare (since 1945 in France). No federal maternity leave (16 weeks in France). No federal paid vacation time (5 weeks in France)! No federal paid sick leave (since 1928 in France). No free universal preschool apart from NYC and maybe… Read more »

RenéDescartes
Reply to  bobo gigi
5 years ago

I love it when Bobo jumps in for a hot take on ‘Merica. i won’t dive into all this, so I’ll just leave you with how Bobo will have to experience the “American exceptionalism” first-hand while watching the upcoming Olympics, when America dominates yet again.

50free
Reply to  bobo gigi
5 years ago

Universal healthcare seems great until a government official decides ur not worth the cost for certain treatments. Also I would rather keep what I earn instead of dealing with that miserable tax rate.

BreaststrokeBen
Reply to  Socaladvracer
5 years ago

Yeah. Gas stations get robbed all the time.

Coach John
Reply to  Hswimmer
5 years ago

actual citizenship and sporting citizenship do not follow each other automatically. there is generally a process of a few months to years to have them line up. look Arkady Vyatchin or Santo Condorelli for some recent examples.

Insider
Reply to  Hswimmer
5 years ago

Who doesn’t want to be an American citizen? I guess it is more about life in general than the sport.

RSPC
Reply to  Insider
5 years ago

You should get out more..

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Insider
5 years ago

Many would not like to be ….u just have no idea

Swammer
Reply to  Insider
5 years ago

Why does this pro America comment have so many more dislikes than likes?

Togger
Reply to  Swammer
5 years ago

The internet’s not only available in America.

The assumption everyone in the world wants to be a US citizen is slightly crass. Most people are proud of the country they are from and have no strong desire for the citizenship of another country.

I’d certainly never assume that everyone wants to be a British citizen, for obvious historical reasons (which the US has some of its own these days, sure there’s lots in Vietnam and Iraq who’d rather die than swear allegiance to the US).

swisher
Reply to  Hswimmer
5 years ago

It’s not like he’s not Brazilian anymore. Many people are dual-citizens.

Jmanswimfan
Reply to  Hswimmer
5 years ago

A literal fascist has become his nations president

Jem
Reply to  Jmanswimfan
5 years ago

Are you referring to the US or Brazil?

About Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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