Rio Olympics 2016 Opening Ceremony: Brazilian Supermodel Gisele Bundchen Rocks the Catwalk; Performances and Highlights [VIDEOS]
Rio Olympics 2016 games officially opens with a colorful and exciting Opening Ceremony
The Rio Olympics 2016 Opening Ceremony officially started the Summer Olympics in Brazil. After months of preparation and controversy-dodging, Rio has formally started the games with momentous performances from local performers, celebrities and athletes.
The Opening Ceremony was held at the Maracana Stadium in Rio with thousands of supporters in attendance. It was also watched by billions of people all over the world. The ceremony highlighted Brazil's rich history and culture, and celebrated the country's beauty. Expectant locals, athletes from hundreds of international delegations and viewers from numerous media outlets watched as the Olympic cauldron was lit by marathon runner Vanderlei de Lima.
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'The Girl from Ipanema'
The Opening Ceremony was a night of celebration of Brazil's culture. It was also a night to admire beautiful women, which Rio and Brazil are known for. Gisele Bundchen stole the show when she walked on stage wearing a stunning silver sequined gown as one of the event's hosts. The Brazilian model worked the stage as her own runway while Daniel Jobim played his grandfather's composed track, "The Girl From Ipanema."
Tweets went viral
After the event, Bundchen tweeted her happiness and her message immediately went viral online. Gisele said that as she strutted on the longest runway that she has ever been on, she sent messages of love and positivity. She feels humbled and very honored that she could be part of the event. She believes that unity is the solution to a world filled with "kindness, gratitude, peace and love."
Opening Ceremony highlights
Paulinho da Viola sung the Brazilian national anthem while a video depicting the country's history was projected on stage. Performers wearing colorful national costumes walked on stage atop giant buildings that symbolize the many cities of Brazil.
Crowds cheered the loudest as a model of the 14-bis biplane, invented by Brazilian native Alberto Santos-Dumont in 1906, flew out of the stadium. Performers danced and sang songs that were mainly focused on environmental issues such as global warming.
The entrance of the athletes
Popular international athletes graced the stadium as they led their respective delegations in the Opening Ceremony. Andy Murray, two-time Wimbledon champ and 2012 London Olympic gold medallist, led the British team.
The Russian team was initially the largest delegation in the games, but were cut down to only 271 athletes. Nevertheless, their team marched proudly inside the stadium.
A penultimate team consisting of refugee athletes were warmly welcomed in the stadium. Thomas Bach of the IOC said that the team expresses a message of hope to millions of refugees all over the world.
And of course, the entire stadium cheered and rejoiced when their own athletes paraded. The Brazilian delegation marched with Yane Marques, 2012 modern pentathlon bronze medallist, at the lead.
