Brazil Rio Olympics off with a bang: See Exclusive pictures

Samba spirit ignited

Rio’s Olympic Games have officially begun after tonight’s Opening Ceremony, featuring Gisele, carnival-style dancing and an elaborate light display.

But many were left unimpressed by Brazil’s cut-price ceremony – which cost just a tenth of London’s in 2012, branding it ‘boring’.

Others were furious that the money had been spent on the Olympics during Brazil’s worst recession in recent years.
That anger erupted into protests outside the stadium as demonstrators, also frustrated over the presence of Brazil’s acting president Michel Temer at the ceremony, clashed with police who used tear gas on the crowd.

Inside the stadium, others showed their anger through the thousands of seats left unsold as the Opening Ceremony began.

The 80,000-seater stadium was less than two thirds full when the lights went down. A Brazilian presenter told the audience: ‘We are 60,000 people soon to be joined by three billion’ on TV. Twenty minutes before the world tuned in, many of the seats of the ‘sold out’ show remained empty.

The ceremony ended with Brazilian marathon runner Vanderlei de Lima lighting the cauldron to officially start the Rio Olympic Games 2016. De Lima was famously leading the 2004 Marathon when he was attacked by a spectator.

Fireworks erupted from the stadium while hundreds of samba dances paraded through the stadium, carnival-style.

Opinion was divided on the success of the ceremony, which had just a $3 million budget. Some praised it for its simple celebration of Brazilian culture.

But others criticized the event as ‘boring’ compared to the spectacular events at Danny Boyle’s London ceremony or Beijing’s incredible 2008 show.

One Twitter user said: ‘Boring execution, loads of empty seats & false claims of being first in something. Is this Rio’s opening ceremony or Rutgers Football?’

Kirsten Haglund added: ‘Sad to think how much money went into this boring #OpeningCeremony that could have gone to the people of #Rio.’

Following Brazil’s display, came the welcoming of the athletes as competitors from all over the world took to the stadium waving their country’s flags.

Around 45 minutes into the welcoming of the athletes, the US team led by record Olympic medalist Michael Phelps were introduced.

The crowd gave the Americans the loudest cheer of the night thus far. Many of the athletes danced along to the music, took selfies and waved back at the crowd.

Tennis champion Andy Murray was flag bearer for Team GB while fellow tennis star Rafael Nadal led the Spanish team.

Meanwhile Australia, one of the only teams who boycotted the Olympic Village over hygiene and safety concerns, almost missed their slot after their bus to the stadium was delayed by protests.

The Brazilian team made an exuberant entrance, dressed in navy blazers and straw boaters followed by the reflective metal stands at the ceremony – which many have mocked online as looking like ‘cheese graters.’

The team of ten Refugee Athletes – representing the world’s stateless competitors – also got a huge cheer during the ceremony.

The athletes, who fled the likes of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Syria compete under the Olympic flag.
But acting President Michel Miguel Temer, whose presence has sparked fury among many spectators and protesters, was booed loudly as he spoke to welcome the world to the Games.

Outside the stadium, in the rundown shabby apartment blocks directly overlooking the Maracana residents rushed out of their balconies in a moment of furious defiance, banging pots and pans and chanting ‘Fora Temer’ (Temer Out).

Their cries were echoed on the streets by haggles of locals and drivers responded by honking their horns in solidarity.

Similar outbursts were reported across pockets of the city. In the bars of Rio’s Humaita neighborhood locals jeered the embattled interim President whenever he appeared on TV.

Chants demanding his resignation could even be heard over the sound of dance music in the tourist hotspot of Copacabana.

If the Opening ceremony was meant to entertain, it also served to lecture the world on climate change and saving the planet.

Brazil used the ceremony to celebrate what it said was the ‘biggest garden in the world’, a reference to the Amazon which cuts a swathe through the country.

Its opening message stated: ‘Promoting world peace is the basis of the Olympic spirit. Today there is an urgent need to also promote peace with the planet.

‘Climate change and the depletion of natural resources need our attention and the Olympic Opening Ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to shed light on this subject.

‘Brazil, with the largest forest and the largest reserve of biodiversity on the planet, is the right place for this message to be spread. It is not enough to stop harming the planet, it is time to begin healing it.

‘This will be our Olympic message: Earthlings, let’s replant, let’s save the planet.’

Rio has a problem with rising floodwaters and a video played to the stadium also focused in on how important trees are to the environment, noting how trees can even delay global warming.

Embarrassingly spectators were asked to make animal noises to create more noise and to use their phones to help illuminate the seating areas as part of the performance.

It was a stark contrast to the incredible Beijing and London ceremonies.

Brazilian organizers had already made excuses for the lackluster ceremony saying money worries had added to their burden.

Outside the stadium, the thousands of fans streaming into the Maracana Stadium for the ceremony were guarded by almost as many heavily-armed police and soldiers.

A massive security operation is under way to keep the Olympics Opening Ceremony safe – as Rio finally begins to party.

Tens of thousands of fans streaming into the Maracana Stadium for the ceremony were guarded by almost as many heavily-armed police and soldiers.

The country’s government is determined Rio will not be hit by disorder or terrorism – with the Olympics being held in a country racked by recession, politically divided by the explosive impeachment of its president, and fearful of the first Games held in the shadow of Isis.

But as fans arrived at the stadium they were determined not to be put off from enjoying the spectacle.

Supporters from New Zealand, the USA, Argentina and Colombia have traveled across the globe to cheer in their teams.

Meanwhile 5,000 volunteers, 500 musicians and 200 professional dancers took part in the celebration of Brazilian culture – watched by an estimated three billion people on Television and 50,000 people in the stadium.

The three hour spectacle featured Brazilian music, including the samba and drumming made famous by Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival celebrations, and all artists agreed to perform without pay.

Rafael Teixeira, 36, who works for a pharmaceutical company, was at the ceremony with his wife and two young children.
A Rio resident, he returned to Brazil three months ago from the United States with his job.

He said the many unsold seats was a consequence of organisers’ greed in selling tickets at a price most Brazilians cannot afford.

He said: ‘You see that most people here are either foreigners or white Brazilians. They should have made the event more social and inclusive by helping ordinary Brazilians on a normal wage to join in.

‘We paid 9,000 reals in total, that is that same as a year’s wage for people earning a minimum salary.

‘I know people who bought lots of tickets to resell, like they did in the World Cup, but this time they couldn’t sell them. People these days don’t have as much money to spend.’

He said he was pleased with the ceremony. He said: ‘I was worried things would go wrong, but like everything in Brazil it always works out in the end.

‘The presentation was low profile, but I prefer that rather than being extravagant and big budget, at this time of economic crisis.

‘It was very carnival style, lots of music, dancing and improvisation.’

Brazil was working with just half of the $42 million budget spent on the London ceremony in 2012 but organizers insist the ‘heart’ of the ceremony will make it just as special.

Grammy award winners Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil will make an appearance, as well as supermodel Gisele Bundchen will also be on hand.

But what was to be the climax of the show, the lighting of the cauldron by soccer star Pele. has fallen flat as Pele has announced he is not able to attend because of business deals.

Jamaican star sprinter Usain Bolt also revealed that he would not be able to make this year’s opening ceremony.

The three Brazilian filmmakers and creative minds behind Friday’s ceremony to open South America’s first Olympic Games are Daniela Thomas, a filmmaker, executive producer Marco Balich and Andrucha Waddington, another film director.

‘I think it is very right for this moment in Brazil and the world not to have a big show and opulent ceremony,’ said executive producer Marco Balich.

In studying past opening ceremonies, the filmmakers said they would get depressed watching the 2008 spectacle in Beijing, an event that raised the bar for host cities due to its sheer scale and precision. Still, they said nothing would compare with the Brazilian soul of Friday’s big show.

Proud mother Sally Pendergast has spent her life savings to support her daughter Grace who us competing in the Woman’s Eight Rowing event.

Sally, 52, from Christchurch said: ‘I’m here with my daughter and my son to cheer on Grace in the Woman’s Eight Rowing.

We’ve spent our life savings to get here but its the first time a woman’s rowing team has made it to the Olympics so we had to come.’

Sally is traveling with daughter Matilda, 25, son Sam, 21 and best friends Virginia and Jaimee.

Thrilled fans poured into Rio’s iconic Maracana ready to roar on Team USA.

And they were given an unexpected bonus when their heroes sped past on fleet of buses waving and giving the thumbs up before heading past the columns of police and security and into the depths of the stadium.

‘Americans are the greatest’ said Stephen Arifin, 22, as he his friends roared with approval.

‘They are nice guys, just like normal people. It’s great to see them getting into the spirit.’

Despite the tight security and 500-ft lines, visitors to South America’s most famous sporting venue waved flags energetically, posed for pictures and broke into chants of ‘USA’ as they streamed into the entrances.

Writer Ryan Lucchesi paid $500 for tickets for himself and his wife Megan, 34, an attorney.

The pair were head to toe in red, white and blue and held aloft a American flag to show their love for Team US

‘I love the Olympics and I’ve wanted to visit Rio so this is a dream for me – I feel like a big kid,’ said Ryan, 34, from Fresno, California.

‘I’m excited to cheer on the American team and the hometown guys from Brazil when they walk in. If it’s possible to be as loud as my outfit, I will give it a good go.’

Megan, 34, added: ‘I’m expecting color, passion – that Brazilian spirit that you can’t find anywhere else on earth.’

Angel Bondurant, 45, a registered nurse from San Francisco, grinned from ear to ear as locals lined up to take pics of her in a racy Stars and Stripes dress.

‘The people have been so welcoming,’ she said. ‘I cannot wait to see the Samba dancers.

‘There is a lot of security but that doesn’t put me off. It doesn’t feel like the Third World, it feels completely safe.

‘Thankfully the mosquitoes never showed up.’

Angel flew into Rio with her daughter Vivien Muth, 28, also a nurse.

‘I want to see colors, samba, the energy of Brazil. It’s such a unique place,’ she said.

Brett Miller, 46, an architect from Denver, Colorado, brought his two daughters Jessie, 14, Zoe, 17, and wife, Heather Taussig, 46, on the holiday of a lifetime to Brazil.

He laughed off suggestions the show might be a little steamy for his youngest daughter

‘I think I heard Simon Cowell say on TV the other day ‘everybody needs a bit of nasty’, he joked. ‘Seriously it will be an incredible cultural interchange. I can’t wait.’

Zoe said she would be cheering on ‘like crazy’ when Missy Franklin, a swimmer from Denver, takes to the field.

Heather said she would probably shed a tear when she catches a glimpse of Team USA gymnast Simone Biles.

‘She is such an amazing young woman,’ she said. ‘She grew up in foster care. She inspires a lot of young wome

David, 32, an accountant from Orange Co, CA, said: ‘I’m here for the Olympics, nothing else. I’m not here for sightseeing, swimming, just the sports. I am particularly interested in the basketball. They are going to win gold, in fact it would be a disgrace if they did not win gold!’

Darin, 37, also from Orange Co, CA, added: ‘Thus is my second Olympics. I was at London and now here. I want to see Michael Phelps pick up some more medals. He’s my hero.’

Damian, from Michigan said: ‘I really like the athletics – the 100m, 200m, hurdles – it’s so fast and exciting.’

Sailor Fabio, 49, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, said the Olympic Games was a symbol of world unity and peace.

Indira, 37, a psychiatrist, from Cartagena, Colombia, said it was all about sport.

She said: ‘I love the athletics – the 100m, 200m and the triple jump!’

Other fans at the Boulevard Olimpico included Ruzbeh Shokramian, 32, a Brazilian who lives in Washington DC.

‘I came to Rio to watch the Olympics and see family,’ said Shokramian, who arrived in the country last Thursday.

I’m going to watch beach volleyball, rowing and the horse riding. I’m a rower myself so I’m really interested in that and of course I’ll be supporting Brazil.’

Asked for his thoughts on the Olympics so far, he said: ‘It’s wonderful – I’m really enjoying it.’

Swimming fans from China told how they hoped to see their national pin-up Ningzetao.

Nicole,25, from Suzhou, said: ‘I’m so excited to be here it’s a dream come true.’

Shoushou , 22, from Shenzen, added: ‘We are all here for the swimmer Ningzetao!’

In Rio earlier, the route of the Olympic torch was diverted because of anti-government protests at Copacabana Beach.

At one point the protesters rushed an official motorcade, wrongly thinking its was the widely-unpopular president’s limousine.

That led to fears of the Opening Ceremony being hit too.

Organizers have already conceded that they are ready for the country’s interim president, Michel Temer, to be booed as he gives a speech at the four-hour event.

He is standing in for Dilma Rousseff, the elected president who is currently about to go on impeachment trial.

But he is widely accused of having brought about her fall leading to Temer being the focus of protests.

Brazil is currently in the midst of its worst recession since the 1930s, with much of the blame laid at the door of Rousseff and her predecessor, Luiz Inácio ‘Lula’ da Silva.

Both have also been implicated in a corruption scandal at state oil company PetroBras.

Rousseff now faces impeachment proceedings, with her trial slated to begin a week after the Games close.

As well as protests, the Olympics have also been plagued with concerns over the slow pace of construction, with one key venue still unfinished at the start of the week.

At the Lagoa Stadium, which will host the rowing and canoeing, an overseer told press that she was concerned work would not be complete by the time competition starts on Saturday.

Security has also proved a concern, with a number of thefts reported in the Athletes’ Village over the past week – including the loss of the British swimmers’ kit and an iPad stolen from a member of the Danish team.

Organizers fear that Brazilians angry at their politicians will jeer and catcall them during the four-hour curtain-raiser for the Games.

The country’s interim president, Temer, will be protected from embarrassing jeering with a plan in place to disguise the negative response from reaching the ears of an estimated one billion global TV audience.

Earlier this week, Mario Baluch, the executive producer of the ceremony, said few people remembered who political leaders were at opening ceremonies.

He said: ‘We have to celebrate Rio, not celebrate political involvement. You don’t remember who was the president [at ceremonies] you remember Muhammad Ali lighting the torch [in Atlanta] or the archer who lit the flame at Barcelona.’

And there is substantial anti-Olympic feeling, with resentment at the Games’ cost at a time of austerity.

Baluch said the ceremony would reflect those pressures.

‘This is not an opulent event given the economic situation in Brazil.

‘It does not have the grandiosity of Beijing, the huge special effects of Athens, the eccentricity and technological skills of London.

‘But it is still an absolutely fantastic show.’ The organisers admit that many athletes will not be able to take part due to their sporting and training commitments.

Baluch added: ‘It is all about the athletes – if they cannot make it, they will miss the show of their lives.’

Organizers denied reports that loud music would be played to drown out any booing.

Artistic director Fernando Meirelles admitted London 2012’s magnificent production by Danny Boyle and Paulette Randall was a ‘tough act to follow’ while Beijing’s opener in 2008 was one of the best he had ever seen.