Reflecting their own style, the Brazilians replaced the high-tech taste that has come to define the opening ceremonies of Olympic Games from Beijing to London to Sochi, with a more organic, authentic and nature-like one. My father attended the Olympic games in Berlin, so it’s a way of showing honor.
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With a limited budget, the outcome of a biting recession that roiled preparations for South America’s first Olympics, Brazil laced its high-energy opening party for the games of the 31st Olympiad with a sobering message of the dangers of global warming. The fallout from the political crisis and a weakening economy loomed like a dark cloud over these games for quite some time. He asked the athletes to “respect yourself, respect each other, respect the Olympic Values which make the Olympic Games unique for you and for the entire world”.
Brazilian marathoner Vanderlei De Lima had the honor of lighting the Olympic Cauldron.
Brazil’s interim President Michel Temer declare South America’s first ever Games open in a short speech.
In a sport overpopulated by tiny teenagers, 41-year-old Chusovitina has kept her body “lean and mean” for over four decades so that she can compete against rivals younger than her 17-year-old son Alisher. He was standing in for suspended President Dilma Rousseff.
The celebratory atmosphere followed fresh protests, when about 3,000 people waving signs saying “No to the Olympics!” gathered outside a luxury hotel where many athletes are staying. When the seeds sprout, they will be planted in a Rio park.
But there were big cheers for nations with large immigrant communities in Brazil, such as Italy and Japan, and roars for the more recognisable flag bearers such as Rafa Nadal and Michael Phelps.
After a cocktail party, the group will relocate under tight security to the Maracana stadium for the opening ceremony.
Chants of “Brasil, Brasil, Brasil” reverberated around the stadium just before they emerged from the tunnel and then the crowd erupted as the athletes danced and skipped across stage. She was paralyzed in a auto accident as a teenager.
Numerous 10,500 athletes from 206 countries who will compete in the Games for 306 gold medals were to join the traditional Parade of Nations during the opening ceremony.
Flagbearer Rose Nathike Lokonyen (ROT) of the Refugee Olympic Athletes leads her contingent during the opening ceremony. “We are calling for action”, said Fernando Meirelles, one of the directors of the show.
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“It is pretty tacky to be overspending”, he said. “I am Brazilian, with a lot of pride, with a lot of love”, they celebrated.
