Davidson de Souza’s upbringing was a stark contrast to the world of bobsledding, as he grew up in a favela on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Brazil, far removed from the icy tracks that define the sport.
However, his life took a dramatic turn when he first experienced the thrill of sliding down the ice at Calgary’s state-of-the-art WinSport facility. “It was pure adrenaline,” de Souza recalled, excitement fueling his words. “I came down, got out of the sled super dizzy in Calgary. I was like ‘What the heck was that?’ And ‘Can I go up again?’ … I was hooked right away.”
What began more than ten years ago, when he was training with the Brazilian bobsled team, has propelled him to become a crucial brakeman for the Canadian bobsled squad that has its sights set on competing in the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics.
De Souza’s journey has mirrored the intricate twists and turns of the very frozen tracks he now navigates, illustrating a life shaped by resilience and ambition.
Raised in poverty in a neighborhood fraught with challenges alongside his mother and brother, de Souza began working at eight years old, undertaking odd jobs. As a resourceful child, he often took care of strangers’ parked cars, hoping to earn a few coins in return.
“I was a good kid. My mom liked the kid I was. But I was a little street kid, too,” de Souza reflected on his dual identity.
At the tender age of 12, he joined a local track program that offered complimentary meals after practice. His passion for athletics flourished, leading him to excel as a discus and javelin thrower. It wasn’t until he was about 20 that he was approached about the possibility of trying bobsled.
As fate would have it, when the Brazilian team traveled to Calgary for training, de Souza’s life took an unexpected turn. “I loved it. I fell in love with the sport right away,” he recounted. “And when I came to Canada, I fell in love with the country, how people are here, how beautiful Canada is, the security, the safety. Everything just captivated me. And I just told myself ‘One day I’m going to live here.’”
De Souza successfully made the Brazilian four-man bobsled team for the 2014 Olympics, where he found himself inspired by the performance of Canadian athletes like Jesse Lumsden and Lascelles Brown. “I can still close my eyes and see those guys doing bobsled,” he said, recalling the moment. “It was like ‘I want to be like them!’”
Following the Sochi Games, de Souza made a life-changing decision. He returned to Brazil, sold his few possessions—including his motorcycle and cellphone—and bought a one-way ticket to Canada, setting the stage for his new life.
Upon arriving in Calgary, de Souza faced an overwhelming adjustment. Alone in a new country and speaking very little English, he initially struggled with culture shock. He channeled his energy into realizing his dream of competing for Canada, but his ambitions took a backseat when he became a father.
“I just want to make sure my kids have me around as much as possible,” De Souza expressed, emphasizing his dedication to family.
The desire to compete never fully faded, and in 2021, de Souza returned to the sport he adored, just as his two sons were beginning to comprehend their father’s commitments.
“I wanted to show it’s possible to come out of there and be great at what you do with dedication and perseverance,” de Souza said, embodying the spirit of tenacity.
His achievements include being part of the four-man crew that captured a bronze medal at a 2022 World Cup event in Whistler. In 2023, he further showcased his talent by helping Canada secure both gold and bronze medals in multiple North American Cup events.
As the Canadian team trained rigorously throughout November in Whistler, they prepared for the upcoming North American Cup, set to commence at the Whistler Sliding Centre this week.
With the next Olympic Games on the horizon, de Souza emphasized that the team is directed towards what this season holds. He has aspirations for a podium finish at the world championships in Lake Placid, N.Y., planned for March.
“We have a really good push this year,” de Souza conveyed, optimism resonating in his voice. “I’m expecting to do a great job there and come out of there with a medal.”
As he anticipates his moment on the podium, the Canadian national anthem will carry an even deeper significance for de Souza, who is on the cusp of becoming a Canadian citizen after over a decade of calling the country home. Competing for his adopted nation at the highest levels of bobsledding has always been his aspiration. Canada is not only the land he fell in love with, but also the birthplace of his sons, who are now six and nine years old.
“It’s big for me,” he stated with heartfelt conviction. “It’s very important, meaningful.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 19, 2024.
How has Davidson de Souza’s upbringing in a favela influenced his approach to overcoming obstacles in his sport?
As the Canadian bobsled team welcomed him with open arms. We sat down with Davidson de Souza to discuss his incredible journey from the favelas of Sao Paulo to the icy tracks of bobsledding in Canada.
**Editor:** Davidson, your upbringing in a favela in Brazil is so different from the sport you now excel in. Can you share how your early life shaped your approach to challenges in bobsledding?
**Davidson de Souza:** Absolutely. Growing up in a place where you have to hustle for everything, you learn resilience early on. I started working at eight—and that fight to survive made me stronger. It taught me that hard work pays off, whether it’s in sports or life.
**Editor:** Your first experience on ice in Calgary sounds electrifying. Can you take us back to that moment?
**Davidson de Souza:** Oh, it was unforgettable! I came down the track dizzy and just exhilarated. I remember thinking, “What was that? Can I do it again?” It was pure adrenaline, and I knew right then that I had found my passion.
**Editor:** You transitioned from being part of the Brazilian Olympic team to representing Canada. What motivated that big move?
**Davidson de Souza:** After the Sochi Olympics, I realized that I wanted more—more opportunity, more stability. So, I sold everything and bought a one-way ticket to Canada. The beauty of this country, the safety, and the people really inspired me. I wanted to be part of that.
**Editor:** You mentioned experiencing culture shock when you arrived here. How did you overcome that initial hurdle?
**Davidson de Souza:** It was tough at first. I didn’t speak much English, and I felt alone. But I channeled all that energy into my training and adapting to my new environment. I was determined to make this work, not just for me but for my future family.
**Editor:** Speaking of family, how has becoming a father influenced your career and your aspirations in bobsledding?
**Davidson de Souza:** Being a dad is my greatest motivation. I want to be there for my kids, to show them that dreams can come true with hard work and perseverance. I want them to grow up knowing that anything is possible, no matter where you come from.
**Editor:** Now, as you prepare for the 2026 Olympics, what are you most excited about?
**Davidson de Souza:** I am thrilled to represent Canada, and I want to prove that my journey—from the favelas to the Olympic stage—is an inspiration. I want to show others that your background doesn’t define your future. Hard work and ambition can lead you to places you never dreamed of.
**Editor:** Thank you, Davidson. Your story is truly inspiring, and we wish you the best of luck in your journey to the Olympics!
**Davidson de Souza:** Thank you! I appreciate your support.