Leila Barros

Leila Gomes de Barros (born 30 September 1971) is a Brazilian politician and former volleyball player. She often played as opposite hitter and attacker. She was a member of the Brazilian squad that had great success in the late 1990s and early 2000s, winning the 1996 and 1998 editions of the FIVB World Grand Prix and being rated the Most Valuable Player in each win.

Volleyball career

Barros started competing in volleyball at the age of fifteen. She switched to beach volleyball in July 2001, but returned to the indoor courts in 2003 to help the Brazil women's national volleyball team to qualify for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Barros finished in second place in the 1995 and 2003 FIVB World Cup, and won third place in 1999 FIVB World Cup. She also won a silver medal in the 1994 FIVB World Championship. In the Olympics, her Brazilian team won the bronze medal in 1996 and 2000. She has also posed in several magazines, and was one of the most popular players when the Brazilian volleyball team came to the Philippines.

Political career In October 2018, Barros became the first woman to represent the Federal District of Brazil in the Senate.