Adriano Gomes de Lima, a celebrated Brazilian Paralympic swimmer, died on Saturday in Natal at the age of 52 due to a long-term struggle with a sarcoma, a type of bone cancer he had been diagnosed with in 2024. His passing has sparked mourning throughout the Brazilian sports community and among fans of Paralympic sports, marking the loss of one of the nation's most accomplished athletes.

With a prestigious record, Adriano stood as one of Brazil's greatest Paralympic medalists, having earned a total of nine medals, including one gold, five silver, and three bronze across four editions of the Paralympic Games — Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, and Beijing 2008. Additionally, he represented Brazil at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympics, which further cemented his legacy in the realm of adaptive sports.

Besides his Olympic achievements, Adriano competed in five editions of the Para Pan American Games, where he amassed an impressive haul of 30 medals, and he also garnered 12 medals at World Swimming Championships. The Brazilian Paralympic Committee expressed its condolences and honored him in 2025 during the 30th anniversary celebrations of the committee. Last June, he participated in the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Meeting in Natal, where he highlighted the significant advancement of the movement in Brazil.