The who’s who of American athletes who weren’t at the Rio Olympics opening ceremony might be longer than the list of who was. But there was plenty here to celebrate regardless. Here are four conclusions to take from the four-hour event. More than half the tickets cost $17 or less, about half the price of London tickets.
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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.
Where London had surprises created to put a smile on the face-who could forget Elizabeth II and Daniel Craig as James Bond appear to leap from a helicopter?-here there were fewer standout moments.
Led by flag bearer Rosie MacLennan, Canada’s 314 athletes showed off their opening ceremony outfits, designed by Canadian design duo Dsquared2.
Gisele Bundchen, Brazilian fashion model and activist, saved the best for last.
On the streets of bohemian neighborhood Laranjeiras, which is more carioca than touristic, all TV sets were showing Olympic competitions, regardless of the involvement of Brazilians. A segment showcasing the indigenous people of Brazil followed, then one showing colonization by the Portuguese.
It’s customary for every country except the United States.
Rio de Janeiro, Aug 6: With a glittering and grand ceremony, the 31st Olympics officially commenced in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro city on Friday as athletes from across the world geared up to fight and clinch medal and glory for their nations.
Andy Murray successfully carried the flag for Team GB without smacking anyone in the face.
Down as though they might be, the Olympics are still quite massive.
The low-tech, cut-price opening ceremony, a moment of levity for a nation beset by economic and political woes, featured performers as slaves, laboring with backs bent, gravity-defying climbers hanging from the ledges of buildings in Brazil’s teeming megacities and – of course – dancers, all hips and wobble, grooving to thumping funk and sultry samba.
Of course, behind the fantasy, reality dances morbidly.
But the rally was principally a protest against interim President Michel Temer, who was also jeered by the crowd at the opening ceremony.
Even before the ceremony started, reports filtered through that an unnamed Greek athlete had tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
Another day of Olympic sports played out before empty seats led to an admission from organizers that only Friday’s Opening Ceremony has so far sold out.
And this is not to speak of Zika fears, construction issues and the water quality-athletes competing in open-water events have been told to keep their heads above the water line; tricky for the marathon swimmers who will have to do so for 10 kilometers.
All the pretty colors in the world, all the perky music can not mask the problems ready to dog these Games.
Gymnastics could unearth a new heroine in America’s teenage star Simone Biles, while rugby and golf return to the Olympic program after gaps of 92 years and 112 years respectively.
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Save money in the process, and begin instead with some athletics, perhaps a 100-meter heat or two.
