Brazil received a large number of German immigrants in the late 19th century and in the first half of the 20th century. Their adaptation process involved both economic and social factors since they took part in several institutions, such as schools and sports clubs. This paper aims at describing the route taken by three immigrants (Joaquim Roderbourg, Klaus Hendriksen and Burkhard Cordes) who were born in Germany, took root in São Paulo, Brazil, between the 1930's and the 50's, and represented Brazil in the Olympic Games as sailors. It aims at understanding their migration process, adaptation and decision to become Brazilian. The method was based on biographical narratives. Even though they migrated at different times, points in common were found in the subjects' routes, since they constructed a relation with Brazil which went beyond sports. Subject Areas Sports Science KeywordsImmigrants, Sailing, Olympic Games, Brazilian Olympic Athletes "Trying to understand a life as a unique and self-sufficient series of successive events and without ties other than the association to a 'subject' whose constancy is probably just that of a proper name, is nearly as absurd as trying to make sense out of a subway route without taking into account the network structure, that is, the matrix of objective relations between the different stations." (Pierre Bourdieu)

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Gratidão à espiritualidade amiga, que me guia em todos os momentos, apesar dos meus erros. Obrigado, Deus, que permite passar por todas estas experiências, com o auxílio paternal.Mara, meu amor, sem seu carinho, compreensão e apoio este trabalho não seria possível. Aurora, minha luz, sem seu brilho este trabalho teria menos alegria.Augusto, Vanda Marta, Leon e César, vocês são meus alicerces. Ana Paula, Anne, vocês são a certeza de palavras e gestos amigos. Obrigado à minha sogra, Lena, pelo carinho.Aos tios, primos e à minha avó Cida, gratidão pelos momentos compartilhados. Dona Rosa, Karin e Méia, a família que por anos que me adotou em Bauru (SP) e de quem me lembro com gratidão.Ao meu avô Pedro e ao meu tio Borges, que me assistem de outro plano, obrigado por compartilharem comigo o amor ao esporte, um dos motores deste trabalho.Daniel, obrigado por todas as palavras, lições e exemplos. Guilherme, Paulo, Helinho e Gustavo Longo, mesmo distantes, vocês são parte desta construção. Aos amigos de Empresa

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