Jackie Silva

Jaqueline Louise Cruz Silva (born 13 February 1962) is a Brazilian retired female volleyball player. Silva won the gold medal in the inaugural women's beach volleyball tournament at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, partnering with Sandra Pires. She was known for her aggressive temperament and concern for gender equality, which led the Confederação Brasileira de Voleibol to cut her from the national team in 1985.

In 2006, Silva was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.

Beach volleyball

In 1988, Silva went to the United States to become a beach volleyball player, with Linda Chisholm as her first partner.

Coaching

Silva joined the Florida International University coaching staff as a volunteer assistant with the women's beach volleyball team under head coach Rita Crockett.

Personal life

In 2009, Silva was designated UNESCO Champion of Sport.

At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Silva was inducted into the Olympians for Life project for her work with the poor.

Silva is openly lesbian and has a relationship with the ballerina Amália Lima.