Paola Ruggeri

Paola Ruggeri was a backstroke swimmer who competed at the 1976 Montréal Olympics shortly after she had turned 15-years-old. In 1975, only a few months after she had turned 14, she competed at the Pan American Games in the 100 and 200 metre backstroke events.

Ruggeri later became a beauty pageant contestant and a model. In 1983 she was Miss Venezuela, representing as Miss Portuguesa, and Miss Sudamerica. She competed at the 1983 Miss Universe pageant, making the semi-finals and placing seventh overall. With her athletic background it was only natural that she won the preliminary swimsuit competition and placed third in the swimsuit semi-finals.