The 2016 Olympics in Rio
de Janeiro have officially opened
The 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil have officially opened
with a colorful ceremony. All to the lively beat of samba, bossa nova and funk
the celebration depicted Brazil’s history
and cultural diversity. Marathon runner Vanderlei Cordeiro lit the cauldron on
Friday after an exuberant show of Brazilian cultural touchstones and
breathtaking fireworks.
"Our admiration for you is even greater because you managed
this at a very difficult time in Brazilian history," Thomas Bach, the
president of the International Olympic Committee, told the country during
the ceremony at the famous Maracana stadium, adding "We have always
believed in you." Michel Temer, Brazil's interim president declared open The
Games, the first ever to be held in South America.
Brazil’s economy is also in the middle of a deep recession and thereby
kept spending on its Olympics in check. The tight budget for four-hour opening
ceremony was reportedly about half of the $42m extravaganza in London four
years back.
Spirits were high among the thousands of athletes, performers,
fans and officials at the 78,000-capacity Maracana despite the resentful
undercurrent, and protests against the Games just hours earlier. The firm determination
of the creative minds behind the opening ceremony to put on a simple show that
would not upset a country in dire economic difficulties, but would showcase the
legendary upbeat nature of Brazilians.
"More than 70,000 people that were in the Maracana stadium
and more than two dozen world leaders cheered all of the athletes, but
there was really a touching moment when people took to their feet cheering on
this refugee team competing for the first time in the Olympics."
Source: Al Jazeera and agencies.
