Rio Olympic Games open with a vibrant party that only Brazil can host

Rio de Janeiro: Brazil said Ole! in a typically carnival fashion as it opened the Olympics with a vibrant ceremony that was splashed with the pulsating rhythms of the nation, its gripping Samba culture and its famously colourful outlook to life. Dazzling culture and Brazil's flair for spectacle highlighted the three-hour ceremony, watched by an estimated three billion people around the world on TV. It may have lacked the glitz of London or Beijing but it was a ceremony from the soul of a South American nation troubled by political turmoil, recession and crime. Around 70,000 people gathered at the iconic Maracana Stadium to welcome the 10,400 athletes from 207 nations and dozens of world leaders, including United Nations Secretary General Ban ki-Moon, assembled for the first Olympics to be staged in South America. More than 45 Presidents, Prime Ministers from around the world attended the Games that were opened by interim Brazilian President Michel Temer. Abhinav Bindra joined a galaxy of stars like Michael Phelps, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray to carry the flags of their countries during the Parade of the Nations at Rio. The ace shooter led the biggest ever contingent that India has sent to any Olympics smartly turned out in ethnic Indian dress. The biggest cheer, after the roar when the home team entered, was for Team Refugee of ten athletes from Syria, Sudan and other countries who sought refuge after fleeing civil wars at home. Symbolically, they were the last team to enter the arena. The ceremony in Rio was the ideal set off for two weeks of intense competition for the world's best athletes with its bright lights and thumping rhythms. It was also Rio's way of lifting the depressing mood of the nation. 'Cool' was the tag, the organisers gave while describing the Opening Ceremony. And it was just that. But the big, political message was there too – a message of tolerance and care for the environment of a troubled planet. The show, heavy on environmentalism, was built around the three pillars of sustainability -- reforestation, smile and 'gambiarra', the Brazilian art of improvising repairs, very similar to the Indian 'Jugaad.' In fact, all the athletes were given seeds to represent a forest of saplings that will be planted in Brazil after the Games to create an ecological legacy. Brazil's history was on show too. Portuguese ships crossed a virtual Atlantic Ocean to Brazil's shores, the slavery that followed and the country's explosive growth was showcased at the opening ceremony. On the entertainment side, more than 6000 volunteer dancers, Brazil's star musicians Anitta, Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil highlighted the show. The organisers unleashed samba drums, singers and dancers in a foot-tapping show designed to thrill a global audience. The two big stars from outside Brazil were supermodel Gisele Bundchen and English actor Dame Judi Dench, who read out a stirring poem before the Parade of the Nations. IOC president Thomas Bach, in his speech, stoutly defended hosting of the Games at Rio and predicted that it will be one of the best Games ever held. He also honoured great Olympic champion from Kenya Kipchoge Keino, with the Olympic Laurel for his outstanding achievements in the fields of education, culture, development and peace in the true Olympic Spirit. Huge uproar greeted the arrival of the Olympic Flag brought into stadium by Brazil's icons – Marta Vieira (football), Ellen Gracie (first woman judge of the Supreme Court), Sandra Tavares (beach volleyball), Oscar Schmidt (basketball), Joaquim Cruz (athletics), Rosa Pimentel (eminent cardiologist), Torben Grael (sailing) and Emanuel Rego (beach volleyball). The excitement reached its crescendo when Brazil's most loved tennis player, three-time winner of French Open, 40-year-old Gustavo Kuerten came into the stadium with the torch. He handed the torch to woman basketball player Hortencia Marcari, who in turn relayed to veteran runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima, who climbed up to light the Olympic Torch, and crowd went into frenzy. As fireworks exploded at the Mercana and lit the Rio skyline, Brazil had shown to the world how to party. Brazil hoped to drive away all the negativity, the gloom and doom the Games had attracted with the opening ceremony. It did exactly that. It showcased the finest aspects of the country in and awesome, unique style that came straight from the heart.