Grand Opening ceremony marks the beginning of Rio Olympics

It is a rare occasion that I cover, or even pay attention, to sports. Let me enjoy these Olympics that we built to be great for all.

New Zealand’s contingent of 60 or so athletes and other officials were greeted with a rousing reception, with three-time Olympian and world sailing champion Peter Burling carrying the flag and team co-captain Blair Tuke alongside.

An estimated 26.5 million people watched NBC’s coverage of the Olympic opening ceremony, a sharp 35 percent drop from the record-setting viewership of the curtain-lifter in London four years ago.

The opening ceremony was decidedly simple and low-tech, a reflection of Brazil’s tough economic times.

More time passed before, at long last, the athletes came out.

“The world is very tense”, the director added, citing the rise of United States presidential contender Donald Trump and Britain’s recent shock decision to leave the European Union.

Organizers reportedly made plans to muffle the boos in anticipation of an unwelcome reception for Brazil’s unpopular and unelected president. The rich tribute to indigenous groups of the country with elements of the Amazon rainforest were stunning. “But at least I can watch it from here, with this view and my loved ones”.

You can’t talk about Brazil without picturing the favelas of Rio. “We are very proud of each and every one of them, and confident that they will be excellent ambassadors of Canada’s culture, athleticism, and values”. The music and dancing becomes sharper, illustrating and recognizing the conflict that Brazil has.

The world is threatened because of global warming. It’s a message that needs to be heard, and the idea for The Athlete’s Forest was the ideal positive step.

About an Olympics in which the flame relay suffered through any number of glitches, including when a soldier shot to death a real-life jaguar – the mascot of the Brazilian Olympic Committee – when the animal escaped from its handlers? “It’s always the same things they show and it’s just a lot of money taken out if our pockets”. Each delegation was lead in by a flower-pot bearing bicycle with seeds for the Athlete’s Forest.

Michael Phelps, carrying the American flag, walked into Maracanã Stadium amid his teammates, not out in front.

“It is more than what you see on the news”. Countries in turmoil like Libya and France held their heads up high marching into the stadium, as did Russian Federation whose recent doping allegations have clouded some of the country’s excitement, though there weren’t really smiles from North Korea.

The 31st Summer Olympic Games, the first in Latin America, opened in Rio de Janeiro on August 5 and will run till August 21.

PARADE OF ATHLETES: Was the US team making a political statement by having fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, dressed in a hijab, the traditional Muslim head covering, march in the first row of its athletes entering the stadium?

The first medal of the Games will be picked up in shooting on Saturday but hopes and dreams will also be fulfilled-or shattered-for cyclists, fencers, weightlifters, jodokas, swimmers, and archers as the first Olympic titles are determined.

Those are my favorite moments.