Yet the giddy euphoria that invariably accompanies the opening of an Olympic Games has been notably absent as Brazil grapples with a tanking economy and a grim litany of social problems. “The energy is unbelievable”, said United States tourist Iain Siemen.
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But the boos that greeted acting Brazilian president Michel Temer’s short address to open the Games, the smattering of jeers the Russian team received and the catcalls that followed a reference to government funding tell a different story.
“It has been a long and testing journey to get to this point: for all stakeholders of the Olympic Movement, for our Brazilian friends and for the IOC”, Bach said at the opening of the 129th session on Monday, speaking of “challenging” final preparations but “unparalleled efforts” of Brazil. When the seeds sprout, they will be planted in a Rio park. Athletes will compete in 21 sports throughout the day.
Hours earlier, the Olympics were declared open at Rio’s fabled Maracana stadium late Friday with Brazilian marathon runner Vanderlei Cordeiro lighting the cauldron following an exuberant display of Brazil’s cultural heritage, capped by breathtaking pyrotechnics – and a burst of high-octane samba. He took over from suspended President Dilma Rousseff, who is facing an impeachment trial and tweeted that she was “sad to not be at the party”.
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.
Behind her, the team looked smart in red jackets emblazoned with giant white Maple Leaf symbols on the back. Canada was represented by Governor General David Johnston.
“On behalf of all Canadians, I extend my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to our athletes who have displayed such tremendous dedication and commitment”, Trudeau wrote in a statement.
Or are people just way less interested than they have been in the past?? “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”.
Overall, the atmosphere in the Maracana Stadium was celebratory, as a succession of actors, dancers and musicians raced through routines meant to showcase Brazil’s culture, diversity and history, even finding time for a brief lecture on environmental issues.
Iran’s flag bearer was wheelchair-bound Zahra Nemati, their first ever female flag-carrier who will compete in archery despite being paralysed in both legs. As a effect, Russia’s team was whittled down from a hoped-for 389 athletes to around 270.
Chef de Mission Mark England said the occasion was “everything we hoped it would be – vibrant, colourful and energetic” and would give the team a boost ahead of the competition. The 18-time gold medalist was named flag bearer for the Team USA earlier this week. She was paralyzed in a auto accident as a teenager. As more of the creatures were walked across, a rainforest started taking shape in the center of the stadium, celebrating one of the best known parts of Brazil.
Unlike the opening ceremonies in Beijing in 2008 and London 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.
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“It is pretty tacky to be overspending”, he said. “When 40 percent of the homes in Brazil have no sanitation, you can’t really be spending a billion reals for a show”. “I love seeing that stadium light up, I want to feel pride as a Brazilian, but the Olympics have not brought any great changes for us”.
