Paris 2024: Twin joy in Para swimming final as Borges Carneiro family celebrate

It was a family affair in the pool at the La Defense Arena, as twin sisters Debora and Beatriz Borges Carneiro celebrated the rarest of successes – a sibling double-podium in Para swimming at Paris 2024.  

All eyes were on the 26-year-old Brazilians as they celebrated a silver and bronze double in the women’s 100m breaststroke SB14 final, embracing on the podium.  

It was a special moment, made more so because it fell on their father’s birthday. 

“It's a gift for him as well,” said Debora, who won silver. 

"I can't express this. It's a unique moment for me, it's very special to me with my sister, and (to) represent my friends, my family, my hometown. This is the most important thing.” 

Beatriz said the intensity of the moment took a toll on her, but she couldn’t contain her joy at the opportunity to revel in success with her sister. 

“I'm really, really happy, this is a dream to be with my sister on the podium. This bronze medal looks like a gold.   

"I was just afraid that I would have a heart attack, it was so emotional." 

Sibling rivalry 

Reflecting on the podium allowed them to smile, but earlier on the start line, the twins viewed each other like any other rival; winning was imperative.  

Sharing the spotlight is nothing new; they did so at the World Championships in Manchester last year, when Debora won gold and Beatriz silver, and at the Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, where the results were reversed. But doing so again on the Paralympic stage in Paris is extra special. 

"We are sisters and we like each other, but in the pool we want to beat each other,” Debora explained.  

“I know I need to keep my eye on two things - the clock and my sister. But it is a healthy rivalry because we train together and help motivate each other. Inside the pool we are rivals. This is normal. But we cheer for each other. It's cool. She gives me strength and I give her strength.  

“I beat her records and she beats mine. It is an inspiration and our real rival is the clock." 

Inspired by Dory 

Growing up and working together each day, the twins know everything about each other, and they share the same inspiration, too. They love the Disney film ‘Finding Nemo’ and in particular, Dory the fish, who famously coined the phrase ‘just keep swimming’. Beatriz has also named her dog after the character. 

"We are huge fans of Dory because she has an intellectual disability and she suffers from recent memory loss, so we tattooed 'keep swimming'. We're just like her,” Debora said. 

Whether it was Dory or a shared love of competing together that drove them on, the twins achieved something that will surely stay with them forever.