The opening ceremony traced Brazil’s history, from its earliest people, to the coming of the Europeans along with Rio’s development into a pulsating metropolis.
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But the overwhelming theme of the evening was protection of the environment.
Led by flag bearer Rosie MacLennan, Canada’s 314 athletes showed off their opening ceremony outfits, designed by Canadian design duo Dsquared2.
Bundchen, one of the world’s most sought-after models, delightedly accepted the invitation to the Olympics, a attractive finishing touch to her career, before more than 70,000 people at Maracana and a worldwide TV audience of some 3 billion viewers.
That set the stage for night’s final act: lighting the cauldron with the Olympic flame, which was done by former marathon runner Vanderlei de Lima.
Finishing off the “Birth of Life”, was a small warning about what the future will hold.
It may have lacked the glitz of London or Beijing but it was a ceremony from the soul of a South American nation troubled by political turmoil, recession and crime.
With fireworks forming the word “Rio” in the sky, hip-wiggling dancers and supermodel Gisele Bundchen shimmering to the tune of the “Girl from Ipanema”, Rio de Janiero welcomed the world to the first Olympic Games in South America with a serious message: Let’s take better care of our planet.
206: Number of countries sending athletes to compete in Rio.
In May, Brazil’s Senate voted in favor of starting impeachment proceedings against Rousseff after she was accused of concealing the country’s budget deficit ahead of the 2014 re-election. There was a vivid potrayal of Brazil’s history on display. Flag of Azerbaijan carried by boxer Teymur Mammadov.
After years of preparation, and months of protests the Olympics have begun.
The Portuguese bobbed to shore in boats, the African slaves rolled in on wheels and together they ploughed through the forests and planted the seeds of modern Brazil.
Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, looks to add to his record 22 medals. Francis wished each of the 10 athletes success, saying he hoped that “your courage and strength find expression through the Olympic Games and serve as a cry for peace and solidarity”.
Created just this year, the Refugee Olympic Team is made up of 10 athletes who will participate in the Olympic Games without competing for a specific country.
Track and field will see Jamaica’s Bolt aim to defend his 100m, 200m and 4x100m crowns by clinching all three for the third straight Games.
The team marched during the opening ceremony dressed in beige trousers and blue blazers while waving flags to the crowd in Rio which welcomed them affectionately.
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Rio’s Olympics are costing almost $12 billion but critics argue even legacy projects like a new metro line, bus highways and massive real estate developments have done little to improve the lives of the city’s marginalized.
