As a swimmer who often had to compete the next day, Phelps had not marched in the opening ceremony in his previous Olympic Games from 2000-2012.
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Hours before the announcement that he would miss the opening ceremony, the former striker posted a photo on Instagram alongside ex-Brazil captain Carlos Alberto in front of a Pele Academia backboard.
“The Olympic dream is now a reality”. For players on both teams, being at the Summer Olympics in Rio offers a respite from what’s happening at home – and a chance to show the world a united front.
The 2016 Rio Olympics are officially under way after a glittering Opening Ceremony.
Rousseff’s impeachment trial is expected to end after the Olympics ends on August 21, which leaves the country with two presidents until then. The opening ceremony reportedly cost about half of the 42-million-dollar extravaganza in London four years ago.
Brazil is going through a political crisis as well.
It was a show of support for Dilma Rousseff, Brazil’s suspended leader, who is now facing an impeachment trial. Only Bach was presented to the crowd, which included heads of state and government such as French President Francois Hollande. Bach meanwhile said the first Olympic Games staged in South America had helped transform Rio de Janeiro, despite the failure to deliver certain infrastructure promises and a pledge to clean up the city’s heavily polluted Guanabara Bay. The Opening Ceremony is always the start of something special.
The first-ever Refugee Olympic Team of 10 athletes, displaced from Syria, South Sudan, Congo and Ethiopia, entered the arena to loud applause just before the host Brazilian contingent.
Flagbearers included USA swim star Michael Phelps and British Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, another tennis great in Spain’s Rafael Nadal, and Iran’s Olympic and Paralympic archer Zahra Nemati in her wheelchair.
Rio organizers have managed to keep under wraps who will light the Olympic cauldron during the ceremony. The Olympic rings were also formed by trees.
Brazilian media are tipping sailing great Torben Grael and three-time French Open victor Gustavo Kuerten as potential candidates to light the cauldron in Pele’s absence.
Let the Games begin – Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima waves after successfully lighting the cauldron.
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Brazil has deployed an unprecedented force of 85,000 soldiers and police to ensure the security of the games, particularly in Rio, with a population of nearly 6.5 million people, where drug traffickers control large parts of its poor districts. Athletes will be competing for a total of 306 medals in 28 disciplines and sports.
