Michael Phelps carries the flag of the United States during the opening ceremony for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016.
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The dominant images from the four-hour opening ceremony at the Maracana Stadium included supermodel Giselle Bundchen’s catwalk across the pitch to “The Girl From Ipanema”, the arrival of Brazil’s team and former marathon star Vanderlei de Lima lighting an Olympic cauldron that morphed into a golden disco ball.
The opening ceremony had a major highlight point as it sent out a message to take care of the planet and plant seeds.
“Of the 9.5 million people captured in Africa and brought to the New World between the 16th and 19th century, almost 4 million landed in Rio, 10 times more than all those sent to the United States”, the Guardian reported.
“You get on a huge high when you get into the Olympic stadium”, he said.
Rio de Janeiro is a city of more than 1,000 favelas – communities where much of the country’s rhythms and dances originate.
International Olympic Committee chief Bach recognized Brazil’s efforts. The fact that yielded indignation in social media circles in the US probably says more about this country’s partisan politics – presently as toxic as the water Olympians will have to swim in – as anything else.
Even Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes admitted, “This is missed opportunity”.
“We are living in a world of crises, mistrust and uncertainty”, Bach said.
The Olympic Laurel was then awarded to the Kipchoge Keino, the legendary Kenyan distance runner, in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the fields of education, culture, development and peace through sport.
Among the teams was Russian Federation.
The Russian team, cut down to 271 athletes from an initial 389 following accusations of widespread doping, were at least spared any obvious negative reaction from the crowd.
The BBC News team’s security personnel informed ONE News that the shooting occurred just outside the stadium secure area in front of a church.
Bach fired back, blaming WADA for not being more aggressive in battling doping.
Samba drums and dancing ushered in the games, with Brazil in a mood to throw a great party in the next 17 days, overlooking months of negative news and troubles which at times threatened to derail the biggest games show on the Earth.
They were joined by a first Refugee Olympic Team of 10 athletes, displaced from Syria, South Sudan, Congo and Ethiopia.
As Brazilian officials took their seats in the stadium, there were shouts of “out with Temer” from sections of the crowd. Angry protesters also rushed Temer’s limousine as it drove along Copacabana beach earlier Friday.
“President Barack Obama says the Olympic Games build a sense of “common humanity” as countries pursue the ideal of sending their best to compete “in a spirit of goodwill”. Three thousand families have been forced to relocate because of the Olympics.
Waving signs reading “No to the Olympics!”, about 3,000 people gathered outside the luxury Copacabana Palace Hotel where many Olympic athletes are staying. “Science is giving us a clear message, telling us that we can not continue living and consuming as we have done if we want a future”.
“The heat is melting the icecap”, a voice intoned in the Maracana Stadium.
The environmental message was received with a degree of irony after Rio fell 30 per cent short of its target to treat 80 per cent of sewage in Guanabara Bay by the start of the Games.
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As unexpected as it may have been to see slavery in the opening ceremony, it was also surprising to see climate change featured so prominently. In a surprise announcement, representatives for soccer legend Pele said he would not be taking part.
