RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Alison and Bruno stood on the top step of the Olympic podium, holding back tears as the booming voices of the Carioca singing the Brazilian national anthem rose above the waves crashing against Copacabana beach.
"In front of our people. In the best spot for this sport," Bruno said after the reigning world champions beat Italy in straight sets in the beach volleyball gold medal match on Thursday night. "This is a magical feeling."
In a temporary stadium erected on the sport's spiritual home, during a steady rain that only served to help the 6-foot-8 Alison jump even higher, the Brazilians rallied from deficits in both sets to beat Daniele Lupo and Paolo Nicolai 21-19, 21-17.