Rio 2016: Brazil welcomes the world

RIO DE JANEIRO – For months, it has been doom and gloom for Olympic hosts Rio de Janeiro, with its litany of problems stacking up well ahead of the opening show on August 5.

From political turmoil, to an economic recession and health worries, the build-up to the world’s biggest sporting extravaganza had hardly been smooth sailing.

But tell that to the 60,000 spectators who turned out today (Aug 5) at the city’s iconic Maracana Stadium, ready to samba and party. Draped in the flags of hosts Brazil, Vietnam, Columbia, United States and many more from around the world, fans began their excited march towards the stadium as Olympic fever reverberated through the heavily-guarded streets of Maracana.

With Rio organisers forced to cut budgets for the Games due to the on-going economic recession, many had expected a low-key show unlike that of London 2012's pop culture-fueled, fun show, and that of Beijing grand coming out extravaganza in 2008.

But artistic director Fernando Meirelles showed today that it's not the money that counts. With the country's famous samba and bossa nova beats as his soundtrack,  the "City of God" and "The Constant Gardener" filmmaker delivered a visual feast of colour, culture and music, certainly one to remember till the Tokyo Games in 2020. While Brazil's most famous sports personality Pele could not light the cauldron due to poor health, it hardly mattered, as the party got into full swing last night.

The Olympics' opening ceremony at the cavernous Maracana Stadium officially kicked off 17 days of sporting action today, as some 10,500 athletes from 206 nations sprint, jump, swim, and leap in a bid to capture glory for their country.

Led by flagbearer Derek Wong (badminton) in the Parade of Athletes, Team Singapore’s contingent of 16 athletes and 13 officials made their entrance at Maracana Stadium to the cheers from the crowd. The Republic's 25-strong squad will be flying Singapore’s flag proudly at the Aug 5 to 21 Games, with swimmer Joseph Schooling and paddler Feng Tianwei - both athletes had decided to skip the opening in order to rest - set to light up the Games for Singaporeans back home.

Nacra 17 sailors Justin Liu and Denise Lim – who are competing together at their first Olympic Games – could hardly wait for the opening ceremony to start when TODAY met them earlier at the Olympic Village, as Liu said: “I’m really excited because this is the biggest Games ever, and to be here with all the Singapore athletes is just amazing.”

Added Lim: “I’m going to be so excited when I walk into the stadium and the crowd goes wild. I think I’m going to have goosebumps!”

Star-spotting also kept spectators here at Maracana entertained, with tennis ace Rafael Nadal (Spain), Andy Murray (Great Britain), and swim legend Michael Phelps (United States) among the stars of the parade.

While the Olympics usually see the loudest cheers reserved for its home team, this time there was another contender for the most popular tag, as the refugee Olympic team of 10 appeared in the stadium just ahead of hosts Brazil. Led by Rose Nathike Lokonyen, a 23-year-old 800m runner from South Sudan, it was an emotional and happy moment for the group, as they paused to soak in the cheers and roar from the crowd of 60,000.

And for some 10,500 athletes here in Rio who have waited four years to compete in the biggest event of their lives, it's finally their time to shine.

Bring on the samba, Rio!