Speaking about the rule violation, Brazil’s swim team leader, Gustavo Otsuka, told Reuters that athletes such as Vieira were not in Paris to “play or take a vacation”.
“We’re here working for Brazil, for the 200 million taxpayers who are working for us,” he said. “We can’t play around here. She took a completely inappropriate position to make her point, her dismay, about the formation of the relay.”
Vieira previously represented her nation at the 2020 Tokyo Games, where her team finished 12th in the 4x100m freestyle relay. Santos was taking part in his third Games.
In a statement, the COB said: “The Brazilian Confederation of Aquatic Sports (CBDA), the COB decided to punish the two athletes for having left the Olympic Village without authorisation last Friday.
“In addition to this fact, the athlete Ana Carolina, in a disrespectful and aggressive manner, contested the technical decision taken by the Brazilian Swimming Team committee.
“Thus, athlete Gabriel Santos was punished with a warning and athlete Ana Carolina Vieira was punished with removal from the delegation. She will return to Brazil immediately.”
