A low-tech but dazzling opening ceremony showcased the culture of Brazil’s favelas (slums), its carnival traditions, its sensual bossa nova music and the skylines of modern Brazil.
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Brazil has had to keep in check spending on its Olympics, with the booming country from 2009 – when it was awarded the Games – slumping into its worst recession since the 1930s.
I watched the Brazilians erupt in applause for their team and for marathoner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima to light the torch.
Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – The glitter and glamour of Rio’s stunning Olympics opening ceremony gave way Saturday to serious competition for the first medals of the Games dogged by a doom-laden buildup.
“These first-ever Olympic Games in South America will go from Brazil to the entire world”, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach told the crowd.
Afghanistan will be represented by Tawfiq Bakhshi, Kemya Yousufi, and Abdul Wahab Zahiri who will compete in the field of 100 and 200 meters run game.
The honour of declaring the games open fell to Michel Temer, Brazil’s unpopular interim president, standing in for suspended President Dilma Rousseff.
The Brazilian model strutted across the stadium prior to the Parade of Nations and proved she can draw the attention of a packed stadium.
“Here is our Olympic answer: The 10,000 best athletes in the world, competing with each other, at the same time living peacefully together in one Olympic Village, sharing their meals and their emotions”, he added.
One of the warmest cheers of the evening was given to a team consisting of refugee athletes-the first ever at any Olympics. She tried to flee and was shot in the head. The 18-time gold medalist was named flag bearer for the Team USA earlier this week.
“On behalf of all Canadians, I extend my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to our athletes who have displayed such tremendous dedication and commitment”, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement.
With the budget a fraction of recent games, the Brazilians presented a lovely, thoughtful opening ceremony that spawned celebrations across the city.
“They motivate us _ especially our young people _ to be more active in sport, whether it is in our own backyards, in local parks, or in sport venues from coast to coast to coast”.
With “USA” emblazoned on the back of his jacket, Michael Phelps carried the flag for the US team, the largest with 549 competitors. The iconic Olympic rings turned lush green while thousands of athletes, each holding a seeding, pledged that each of the seeding will be transplanted.
“The responsibility of the decisions are mine, where I have always tried not to disappoint my family and the people of Brazil”.
And fun fact: This is Michael Phelps’ first time walking in the opening ceremony of an Olympic Games; usually he’s at home resting before swimming in preliminary heats the next morning.
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