Portuguese Olympic sprinter Cátia Azevedo has left Sporting CP after 18 years with the club, a departure that arrived just five weeks after she gave birth and has since sparked public debate across social media.
Cátia Azevedo Departs Sporting After Eighteen Years
Cátia Azevedo built practically her entire career wearing green and white, establishing herself as one of Portugal’s premier competitors in the 400-meter event. The 32-year-old athlete holds the national record for the distance at 50.59 seconds and has represented Portugal at three Olympic Games: Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024. Record reported that the split occurred because the athlete did not accept a contract renewal proposal from the club, which offered a one-year extension without any salary increase.
Marta Pen Questions Club Decision on Social Media
The separation drew an immediate reaction from fellow Portuguese Olympian Marta Pen. Via an Instagram story later shared by Azevedo herself, Pen criticized the decision publicly. “Insane. Cátia Azevedo just became a mother, she’s back to training. Unbelievable that the club where she grew up and became an Olympic athlete doesn’t support her in this new chapter,” Pen wrote, as reported by Record. The post amplified ongoing discussions online regarding support for female athletes returning to competition after childbirth.
Auriol Dongmo Renews Contract with Leões
While parting ways with Azevedo, Sporting finalized a contract extension with shot putter Auriol Dongmo. The 36-year-old athlete, who won the world championship in shot put in 2022, endured two serious injuries last year but secured a gold medal at the Mediterranean Games and a medal at the 2025 European Athletics Indoor Championships. “Renovating with Sporting is always an honor and I’m very happy,” Dongmo said. Athletics coordinator Paulo Reis confirmed that Dongmo remains committed to the club for the next two years with Los Angeles 2028 in mind.
Preparations Underway for Los Angeles 2028 Olympics
Cátia Azevedo returned to training just five weeks after the birth of her son, directing her focus toward two primary goals: improving her national 400-meter record and securing a fourth Olympic appearance at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. The departure coincides with Sporting restructuring its athletics roster ahead of the new season, balancing squad renewals with incoming additions.
Cátia Azevedo Rejects Sporting Contract Renewal over Salary
Why did Cátia Azevedo leave Sporting?
Record reported that the 32-year-old velocista did not accept a one-year contract renewal proposal from the club that offered no salary increase.
What are Cátia Azevedo’s athletic records and credentials?
She holds the Portuguese national record in the 400 meters at 50.59 seconds and has competed in three Olympic Games: Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024.
Who else recently renewed their contract with Sporting’s athletics department?
2022 world shot put champion Auriol Dongmo signed a contract extension with the club.
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