Rio Games: 31st Olympics Declared ‘Open’ at Maracana Stadium

Latest updates and pictures from the opening ceremony of the 31st Olympic Games.

Olympic Cauldron Lit by Lima

Brazilian marathoner Vanderlei De Lima has lit the cauldron at the Rio Games. He became the frontrunner to do the honours after football legend Pele pulled out due to health reasons.

Gustavo Kuerten carried the torch into the stadium, then handed it to Brazilian basketball legend Hortencia Marcari. She brought it to the stage, then De Lima brought it up the stairs and held it aloft for 60,000 to cheer.

With that, the cauldron — one unlike any other in Olympic history — was lighted.

Brazilian officials wanted this cauldron smaller than most, a reminder to reduce global warming caused by fossil fuels and greenhouse gases. The flame is housed in a giant sculpture, with spirals to represent the sun.

Games Declared ‘Open’

Brazil’s Interim President has been booed as he spoke to help open the Rio Games.

Michel Temer spoke for only a few seconds, and as he sat back down he was roundly booed by many of the 60,000 or so fans inside Maracana Stadium for the opening ceremony on Friday night.

Temer took over following the suspension in May of President Dilma Rousseff on impeachment charges. Rousseff was not at the opening ceremony.

IOC Boss Bach Speaks

The President of the International Olympic Committee says these Rio Games will promote peace.

Bach said, “We are living in a world of crises, mistrust and uncertainty. Here is our Olympic answer: The 10,000 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.”

Bach added that in this Olympic world, “we are all equal” — words that were met with applause.

Bach concluded his remarks by presenting the first-ever Olympic Laurel to Kipchoge Keino, a two-time gold medalist from Kenya who went on to open an orphanage in his homeland.

‘Refugee Team’ and Brazil Wrap Up March

Even as the line of the participating nations waiting in the stands ran out, two we left at the back of the line. Host nation Brazil and another contingent. One that was also making a debut of kinds at the Games.

The ‘refugees’ walked out under the IOC flag but their smiles were no less brighter. Syrian refugee Yusra Mardini’s in particular. The young woman has stolen hearts already with her story of how she swam for her life when her overloaded dinghy started taking in water as her family crossed the Mediterranean to Greece.

Along with another refugee Yusra jumped in the sea and pulled the boat for three hours through the water, saving the lives of 19 others.

With fans chanting in unison, Brazil entered the opening ceremony for the Rio Games and was welcomed with long and loud cheers from the 60,000 or so inside Maracana Stadium.

Modern pentathlete Yane Marques carried the Brazilian flag in to lead her country’s designation.