It may have taken NBC five hours (no, really) to get to it, but Rio’s display for the Olympic flame almost made that wait worthwhile.
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The IOC’s decision not to impose a blanket ban on Russia over revelations of a state-sponsored doping program opened the door to legal turmoil which left the precise make-up of the Russian team in limbo.
Unlike the opening ceremonies in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012, a financially constrained Brazil had little choice but to put on a more “analogue” show, with minimal high-tech and a heavy dependence on the vast talent of Brazil and its Carnival party traditions. It was simple, classy and effective.
While both are realities of the history of Brazil, the Olympics are often a place where the less savory details are swept under the rug to provide a more pleasant (if incomplete) image of the host country.
It was cut through with an environmental message, with even the rings revealed in leaves, a reminder that Brazil remains home to the world’s largest expanse of rainforest.
The indigenous population’s first encounter with foreigners was next up, with Europe’s arrival, the 400-year exploitation of African slaves and the influx of Asians and the Middle-Easterns all exhibited with the use of hundreds of acrobats and performers.
The story transitioned from past to present when a beaming Giselle Bündchen walked her last catwalk across the stadium floor while a pianist played the classic Brazilian song, “The Girl from Ipanema”.
Later, MC Sofia, a 12-year-old rapper from Sao Paulo, rapped about Brazil’s history of slavery and racial division. And she did so to a backdrop of traditional types of Brazilian dance, including capoeira.
Loud cheers erupted when Brazil’s beloved pioneer of aviation Alberto Santos-Dumont was depicted taking off from the stadium and flying over modern-day Rio. It’ll be just like you were there. It was officially party time.
A further simple but effective moment was a recital of “A Flor e a Nausea”, read by British actress Judi Dench, a poem which announces hope for the future. Rousseff supporters were among the protesters.
It also represented something of a triumph, because there were times after the International Olympic Committee selected Rio ahead of Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid in 2009 when it seemed that the city of 6.5 million people might not get its act together for the world’s greatest sporting mega-event.
Bach told the crowd we are in a world of crisis mistrust and uncertainty. Hmmm. Many countries like South Sudan competing for the first time in these Olympic games.
The ceremony was concluded with the lighting of the Olympic flame, a responsibility that was originally going to be performed by football star Pele, who had to rule himself out as a result of medical complications.
“The world needs to know – I am here watching this spectacle from a slum right next to where they are opening the Olympics, and my life has not improved at all”, said Jose Carmo, a 23-year-old construction worker who lives in Mangueira.
Alas, the highest-wattage Brazilian sports figure was unable to light the cauldron.
De Lima was a worthy replacement, but the absence of the most recognisable Brazilian sportsman on the planet was somehow fitting with the pared down nature of Rio’s opening night.
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With that the show was over and the Olympics had begun.
