“It is not the strength of the body that counts, but the strength of the spirit.” – J.R.R. Tolkien
Supported by lifeguards, disabled athlete JERRY FERNANDES DE SOUZA proudly finishes the 1.5 km challenge helped onto the beach by firefighters during the Travessia de Copa, Brazil’s largest open-water race. Hundreds of swimmers took part in the iconic event
Sometimes, it’s just as important to have good timing and a little bit of luck, as it is to be skilled. I happened to be in the right place at exactly the right moment, and it made all the difference.
Some of the best traits for a photojournalist (my two favorites)are patience and persistence. Timing, curiosity and a little bit of fearlessness don’t hurt either.
I had a fun day on Sunday, starting with a walk to Posto 6 in Copacabana for the start of the Travessia de Copa, Brazil’s largest open-water race, which crosses between the historic forts of Copacabana and Leme. The event featured 1.5 km and 3.8 km courses. I photographed the pre-start scenes for the 3.8 km race and, after a few shots just before the women’s start, I jogged down the Avenida Atlântica (closed to traffic on weekends and holidays) to the nearest Itaú Bike station, hopped on in my bare feet, and biked 2.5 miles to the swim finish at Leme Beach.
When I arrived, I immediately noticed a group of lifeguards carrying a man toward the finish line. I assumed he was just exhausted from the 1.5 km swim, but when he reached the finish, a friend greeted him with crutches. This disabled athlete had completed the grueling open-water swim and then walked across the finish line on crutches, a triumph worthy of a Hollywood movie.
I followed him through the finish as friends and family celebrated around him. I asked one friend for his name: Jerry Fernandes de Souza. After hugs and kisses, I introduced myself in my broken Portuguese: “I’m a photojournalist for an agency in California, and I’m going to make you world famous.” The group smiled, I’m not sure if it was my statement or my very heavy American accent.
One of my photos of Jerry was later chosen as one of the best images of the day, and the following day, it made the top images of the month. I got so “high” making these images, so completely satisfied that I could share Jerry’s triumph with the world, that it reminded me why I became a photojournalist. Over time, it becomes less and less about the photographer and more about the people we’re profiling. I’m very happy with that hierarchy. Sunday reminded me why I do this work, and I’ll always remember the moment I shared with this extraordinary athlete.
