Blast at cycling was controlled explosion of bag, says Rio cops

(STANDUP) “With citizens from all corners of the world bonding through the Rio Olympics, audience members and sports enthusiasts now hope one of the world’s largest global sporting events goes smoothly, bringing sound results for all”. My father attended the Olympic games in Berlin, so it’s a way of showing honor.

The 31st Summer Games and the first one to be held in South America had been mired in so many controversies and obstacles so long before it began that there was a big question mark on its success.

– The Greek Olympic committee has announced the first positive doping test of the Rio Games. He asked the athletes to “respect yourself, respect each other, respect the Olympic Values which make the Olympic Games unique for you and for the entire world”.

That set the stage for night’s final act: lighting the cauldron with the Olympic flame, which was done by former marathon runner Vanderlei de Lima.

There was an “oops” moment though as Brazil’s interim president Michel Temer’s declaration of the opening of the games was met by jeers from some sections of the crowd. The environmental message, while handsome, seemed odd given that officials also failed to keep a promise to clean up the city’s sewer-infested waterways, including now infamous Guanabara Bay, where athletes will compete in a number of water sports.

Temer, an unpopular vice president who took power in May as the result of a controversial impeachment process, was nowhere to be found. Organizers expected 50,000 people in the audience at the iconic Maracana Stadium, including more than 40 world leaders. When the seeds sprout, they will be planted in a Rio park.

The U.S. delegation was led by swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated American athlete ever with 22 Olympic medals, but he exited the building as soon as he crossed the floor and secured the flag.

They received boisterous applause when they entered the 78,000 seat arena. As a outcome, Russia’s team was whittled down from a hoped-for 389 athletes to around 270. Another woman pushed Nemati’s wheelchair.

After a colorful show, the parade of nations has started, and as always by tradition.

After the grandeur of Beijing’s opening ceremony and the high-tech, cheeky inventiveness of London’s, Rio’s was earthier and less swish but more sobering with its gloomy environmental look at the future and deliberate penny-pinching.

Meanwhile, with regards to the budget of the ceremony, director Meirelles said that costs were kept at a minimum due to Brazil’s recession.

“It is pretty tacky to be overspending”, he said. “They’re saying in this ceremony, we are who we are, with a lot of social problems, a lot of crises in the political system”.