V-SPIRIT INTERVIEW WITH LEILA BARROS

Leila buckled down to answer all of the questions.

- About Volleyball -

VS: You have a lot of medals. Which one is the most memorable for you?

LB: The World Grand Prix in '96 where I was Most Valuable Player after the Olympic games. I think it was most important because the team had a lot of troubles. Ana Moser had suffered a serious injury on her knee, there were only six players to play the match. I had a lot of responsibility on my shoulders, and Brazil won against Russia, so I was very happy.

VS How about most unforgettable match?

LB: When Brazil won the Bronze medal at Atlanta against Russia in the '96 Olympic games. Because the team knew how to recover after the defeat to Cuba. Brazil was one of the favorites to win the Gold medal but we lost to Cuba in the semifinals. Everybody was very sad, and we had to recover. I wasn't a team and Bernardinho said that he will need the players of the team. Everybody had to recover and it was a very hard road toward the Bronze medal although team was hoping for a Gold medal, so that was the match I will never forget.

The scores of three matches that stay in Leila's mind

VS: Do you think you can get a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics?

LB: It's very difficult to say because there is Russia, Cuba, China. But Brazil is one of the favorites, of course. Olympic game is very difficult. Details may decide the match. You may lose if you are not determined and concentrated. It's very hard, but I think it's possible.

VS: Who is the rival for you? Do you have any rival player in another team?

LB: I have no rival. Every team is a rival. I respect everybody because every team wants to win.

VS Any ideal player?

LB: I'd like to mix three players. Sokolova in Russia, Ana Moser in Brazil, Mireya Luis in Cuba. I always like to watch these three players in action. I like very much the way they play. So I think an ideal player would be a mix of these three players.

VS: What are your plans after 2000 Olympics?

LB: My main goal now is the Olympic games in 2000. I know Brazil will renew the team after Olympic games. If I am useful for the head coach, I will stay. If not, I will leave the national team and think about my personal life. If there is another player to replace me, I will leave the team, otherwise I will stay.

VS: But you'll continue playing in the domestic league?

LB: Yes.

VS: Do you get nervous every time before the game?

LB: Only before the first match and after that I'll relax.

VS: How do you feel about being in a team that's always in the top 4 of the world? Do you feel any pressure?

LB: Great responsibility. Brazilian volleyball depends on the result of the national team's development, which is proud of being a part of the team that is respected all over the world.

VS: Do you have strong feelings to the match especially against Cuba?

LB: It's strange but I don't like to lose to Cuba and Cuban players think the same way. It's because of the remains of the disagreement that happened in the past. I was part of the team that had a problem with Cuban players, so I think this way. It will start changing because Cuba and Brazil are changing the players. But I part of the past. I was there when it happened. I'm trying to think another way to forget about what happened and go ahead.

VS: Is that about after the semifinal match in Olympic 96?

LB: Yes. I have nothing against the Cuban team. I'm sure that Cuban players are thinking the same way. They don't like to lose to Brazil as much as I don't like to lose to Cuba.

VS: After the loss of the tough game, how would you change your feeling for the next game?

LB: In championship like this we are in now, I have a maximum of twelve hours to forget the defeat against Cuba. I have to think about our next match against China. I suffer a lot, because no one likes to lose, but I try to think about another thing, try to read, to listen to music, to go out, to relax. Otherwise I would be suffer, thinking about the match and what I did wrong, if I could have done better to win.

VS: Is Volleyball the most important thing for you in your life?

LB: Certainly. While I'm playing until I finish my volleyball career it would be the most important thing for me. Because I met all of my friends in volleyball, and I learned everything in my life through volleyball. It's very important for me. When I finish volleyball, I will find another thing, another going for my life. But I will pay attention to volleyball.

About Other Than Volleyball -

VS: Please describe your personality.

LB: I'm very stubborn. I'm very explosive, but I'm a very good friend, and determined in what I do.

VS: You attract so many people, not in only Brazil but all over the world. What do you think is your charm point?

LB: (Laugh...) I don't know.. (Laugh...) I don't even know why here in Asia I'm so famous. I think it comes from another life maybe.. because I'm so shy. Maybe it's because I'm very kind to the fans, everybody. I do well with everybody so maybe that's why. But I don't even know why.

VS: Do you think it's because you are beautiful?

LB: No, I don't think I'm as beautiful as people say. Maybe in Brazil I have an exotic beauty because I have eyes like these (as pulling the edge of the eyes). But I don't think I'm that beautiful.

VS: I think you are beautiful.

LB: (Laugh...) Thank you. My husband thinks so, too.

VS Are you interested in a job as a model?

LB: (Big Laugh...) No. I would be hungry. No, no no....

VS Favorite food?

LB: Barbecue. Pasta.

VS Do you cook?

LB: No, I don't like cooking. My husband cooks.

VS Do you like to drink?

LB: No. Only red wine. A little bit.

VS Favorite movie star?

LB: Al Pacino.

VS Your favorite fashion?

LB: It depends of the way I feel. One day I'm in jeans and T-shirt and another day I'm in a dress. It depends on the day.

VS What do you do in your free time?

LB: I try to lead a normal domestic life of a married women. I like to stay at home, because I need a little time for that, watching TV, video, listening to the music.

VS What kind of music do you like?

LB: I like Brazilian Rock. And U2, Fleet Wood Mac, Rolling Stones. Especially Rock n' Roll.

VS How about Movie?

LB: Schindler's List. Drama, Adventure. I don't like thriller.

VS: You are always friendly to everybody. Is that your nature or trying to do so?

LB: Natural. It's very natural. If I don't feel anything special in another person, I will not get in touch, but if I feel this way, I try to be a friend.

VS: Who is the most important person for you?

LB: Mother. Certainly my mother is the most important person. Family in general but especially my mother.

VS: At last, please give your message to the fans all over the world.

LB: It's very beautiful, the feeling people has for me. I'd like to say thank you from my heart. I will never forget that until my death. I will stop playing, but I will remember the days to be a mark in my life of volleyball. I will miss the fans in Asia. Everybody treats me very well. I will never forget.