JOIN USOde to forests, favelas and funk
Brazil took the world on a subdued journey that culminated in a riot of colours, marking the start of the first Olympic Games in South America on Friday.
In a country renowned for its colours, music, rhythm and dance, there wasn’t much of it on show for long stretches before Samba drums and a slice of the famed carnival brought life to the party at the iconic Maracana Stadium.
A capsule of Brazilian history – a verdant land conquered by the Europeans and the destruction of environment in the name of civilisation – enacted on the turf that acted as a giant screen got the show off to a slow start and as the creative directors promised, there was little bragging about the country’s achievements.
Instead, it meandered onto a discourse on protection of environment and at times it looked like a throwback to the krishi darshan days of Doordarshan. The parade of nations, though inordinately long, brought forth the diversities of our planet and it was with the stars of the night as witnesses that the interim Brazil president Michel Temer declared the Games open.
Vanderlei de Lima, Brazil’s marathon runner who won the bronze at the 2004 Athens Olympics, lit the flame in a low-emission bowl underlining the theme of the evening. It then moved high to place itself in front of a twirling metallic flower symbolising the sun, as fireworks lit up the night sky.
Financial difficulties
The financial difficulties nagging the hosts had a deep impact on the show that shunned high-tech tricks but it wasn’t a balm for depression for the Brazilians, as promised by the creative team. The bright moments came when it traced the culture of the land and the reality called favelas along with music that had an earthy feel. Rappers Karol Conka and the 12-year-old MC Soffia underlined the empowerment of black women while the lines of Brazil’s famous architect Oscar Niemeyer found expression through super model Gisele Bundchen.
As Bundchen sashayed across the field with the Girl From Ipanema in the background, she symbolised the words of the man who adored the sensual curve, the curve on the mountains of his land, the curve of the rivers, the clouds in the sky and the woman he loved.
Greece, as is the tradition, led the parade of nations, with Brazil, bringing up the rear, receiving the loudest of cheers. Russia, embroiled in a doping controversy, received a mixed reception.
The United States was led in by the legendary Michael Phelps while Andy Murray and Caroline Wozniacki did the honours for Great Britain and Denmark respectively, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce for Jamaica.
With the President Dilma Roussef being impeached, it was up to the Interim President Temer to open the Games and jeers rang around the Maracana, perhaps echoing the resentment of the people with the current state of affairs in the country. The tough times were referred to by the chairman of the organising committee, Carlos Nuzman, a 1964 Olympian in volleyball.
“The children of Brazil do not run from the fight,” he reminded the 60,000-strong crowd. “Let’s celebrate together, as we worked together to build the Games of the 31st Olympiad. Rio de Janeiro is proud to be the Olympic capital of the world, honoured with our guests, enlightened by the transformation that we promised and delivered,” he pointed out.
The International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach also patted Brazil for putting on the show in tough times. “Our admiration for you is even greater because you managed this at a very difficult time in Brazilian history. We have always believed in you,” he said.
In a world of crises, mistrust and uncertainty, Bach said Olympic Games had given the answer.
“The 10000 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. In this Olympic world, there is one universal law for everybody, in this Olympic world, we are all equal, in this Olympic world, we see that the values of our shared humanity are stronger than the forces which want to divide us,” he said.
As Samba dancers rolled in and fireworks brought a dazzling conclusion to the night, those words resonated around the venue, underlining the significance of these Games in tough times.