On Friday, Brazil laced its high-energy opening party for the games of the 31st Olympiad with a sobering message of the dangers of global warming.
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“Our admiration for you is even greater because you managed this at a very hard time in Brazilian history”.
Once the Brazilian delegation entered Maracana Stadium to end the parade of nations at the opening, rings carrying seeds and soil were moved into the Olympic five-ring shape – and displayed in green in a reference to transplanting depleted forests, not the traditional colors of the games.
Brazilian singer Paulinho da Viola sang the national anthem to set off the show of laser lights and elaborate dances highlighting Brazil’s history and rise as an emerging power.
Billions of people watched the ceremony on television Friday, featuring more than 200 Olympic teams, including the first-ever team of refugees to band together and compete.
Other members of the refugee team are Rami Anis, also a swimmer from Syria; Yiech Pur Biel, Paulo Amotun Lokoro, Anjelina Nadai Lohalith, James Nyang Chiengjiek and Rose Nathike Lokonyen, all runners from South Sudan; Yolande Bukasa Mabika and Popole Misenga of the DRC who will be competing in the judo events and Yonas Kinde, an Ethiopian runner.
And I still have a new first to look forward to at my next Olympics.
The story of Brazil was then retold in a stunning showcase, beginning with the birth of life itself, depicted on a huge screen on the stadium floor, and continuing with a representation of the country’s rainforest and the forming of three huge “ocas” or huts to symbolise the indigenous people who call that awesome and precious habitat their home.
The show drew homegrown stars, like supermodel Gisele Bundchen, who walked across the stadium to the sound of bossa nova hit “Girl from Ipanema” and tropicalia legends Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. We are very proud of each and every one of them, and confident that they will be excellent ambassadors of Canada’s culture, athleticism, and values.
Before the show, in a video broadcast inside the 78,000-seat Maracana Stadium, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the games “celebrate the best of humanity” and appealed for an Olympic truce, calling on “all warring pries to lay down their weapons” during the two weeks of sporting achievement.
The 2016 Rio Olympics are officially under way after a glittering Opening Ceremony. Compatriot Lea T, the first transgender model to sign a beauty contract, added to the insistent message of tolerance and diversity, carrying a placard in the Athletes’ Parade. You had to flee from your homes because of violence, hunger or just because you were different.
Many people pointed out Brazil was able to acknowledge slavery, while the United States has yet to do so at an Olympic ceremony. “Now with your great talent and human spirit you are making a great contribution to society”.
“Olympics will prosper peace”. In this Olympic world, there’s one universal law for everybody. We’re living in a world of crisis, mistrust and uncertainty.
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“It’s a shame. We’re so excited for the Olympics”. Ahead of the opening ceremony, the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer, that dominates the skyline of the Brazilian capital and where the Olympic torch was lit at dawn, was specially lit up. Finally the Olympic cauldron was lit by Brazilian marathoner Vanderle Cordeiro de Lima as firecrackers went off in the Rio night sky.
