Haroldo DE MELO LARA

Haroldo Lara was Brazil’s top swimming sprinter in the 1950s, breaking several Brazilian and South American records. He began his career with Saldanha da Gama Yacht Club, swimming for them as he won São Paulo, Brazilian and South American titles from 1949-56. He was later honored at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro when he carried the Pan American Games torch.

At the end of his swimming career, after competing at the 1952 and 1956 Olympics, Lara was discovered for his singing voice. He earned a scholarship to the Conservatorio di Musica Santa Cecilia in Italy and was there for parts of 40 years, performing in opera. He later studied and performed in the United States for 12 years. In 2004 he was given the Cavaliere della Repubblica by the Italian Government.