During the late 1940s and early 1950s, Eduardo Barbeiro, a member of Sport Algés e Dafundo, was one of Portugal’s best all-around swimmers. He got his start alongside his brother Manuel after World War II and began gaining attention and setting records in 1948, just too late to attend the 1948 London Olympics. He was, however, seen as a strong prospect for the 1952 edition in Helsinki. There, he competed in the 100 metres backstroke and the 200 metres breaststoke, placing 30th and 39th respectively. He was also a member of the Portuguese water polo squad, which was eliminated in the qualifying round.
Portugal