DHAKA: The 31st edition of the Greatest Show on Earth, Summer Rio Olympics 2016, was inaugurated at Maracana soccer stadium of Brazil on Saturday (August 6) Bangladesh Time.
Brazil’s acting president Michel Temer declared the Games open, the first to be held in South America. A lot of fireworks was followed the announcement.
The Rio Olympics 2016 will take place till August 21.
Robert Scheidt, Brazilian Olympic sailor, takes the Olympic oath on behalf of all athletes at the Opening Ceremony.
Brazil’s noted performers Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and Anitta performed as the drum sections of all 12 Rio samba schools played together.
The Olympic flag was carried into place. The flag was carried by Marta Vieira (Football), Ellen Gracie (First woman appointed to the Supreme Court in Brazil), Sandra Pires Tavares (Beach volleyball), Oscar Schmidt (Basketball), Joaquim Cruz (Athletics), Rosa Celia Pimentel (Cardiologist and founder of the Pró-Criança hospital), Torben Grael (Sailing), Emanuel Rego (Beach volleyball).
Around 78,000 spectators enjoyed the inaugural ceremony at Maracana.
Four-time Olympic gold medallist athlete Michael Johnson said: "The opening ceremony truly reflected the culture of Brazil and Rio. There was focus on environment and sustainability but it was full of passion.
People like sport and enjoy life here. Coming from America, we are exactly the opposite which is work, work, work.
It was reflected beautifully in a simple way. They didn't spend as much money as Beijing or London and it proves you don't have to spend to make something spectacular."
More than 10,500 athletes from 206 will participate in the 31st Summer Olympics in Rio. They will compete for 306 medals.
The Maracana witnessed a grand opening ceremony which saw the full glory of the Olympics. 206 nations participated but the loudest cheers were reserved for the Refugee Olympic team, who were making their maiden appearance in the games.
Bangladesh’s golfer Siddiqur Rahman carried the flag of Bangladesh in the march past.
Other members of Bangladesh contingent to take part in the prestigious event are Mahfizur Rahman Sagar and Sonia Akhter Tumpa in swimming, Abdullah Hel Baki in shooting, Shyamoli Roy in archery and sprinters Mesbah Ahmed and Shirin AKhter.
BDST: 0922 HRS, AUG 06, 2016
SR
