I stayed up last night to watch the Rio Olympics 2016 Opening Ceremony ..... I do things like that !!
I have to say that I wasn't expecting much and, there were some unfortunate reminders of the troubled backdrop to these Games. Boo's greeted acting Brazilian president Michel Temer and the Russian Team received a few jeers. The organisers have had to deal with a lot ...... pollution, the Zikka virus, safety concerns, the ability to afford it and will it benefit or burden the poorer communities in Brazil ?
It was obvious that it was much smaller than Beijing and London but, the ceremony's creative director, Fernando Meirelles, used digital projection to suggest water, buildings and the potentially devastating effects of climate change, the latter having a very sobering effect..... and, the only team to receive as loud a cheer as the home team was the Refugee Team ...... a team without nation's to call home.
It was quite disorganised, untidy and disjointed in places but, in a way, somewhat refreshing .... we are so used to each country trying to outdo each other and spend more than the last host but, by the end, when the purposely small cauldron was lit which is, as you can see above, quite striking, I thought, Rio might just carry this off.
London 2012 was AMAZING in all respects and Rio, with all it's problems would never top it, nor should they { London never tried to top Beijing and didn't spend nearly as much } Maybe, in the next 16 days, Rio will have some difficulties to overcome but, I really hope that Brazil will make these games work.... hopefully, the organisers can now uncross those fingers that they have had behind their back !!
Bring on the GREAT !!!
image 1: via telegraph, image 2: via independent
Jackie, I love your attitude. You made what sounded like a train wreck hopeful. Let's hope the beauty surrounding the athletes will make them overlook the problems and have good memories.
ReplyDeleteWell Donna ...... I wasn't sure what to expect although I know that they have had many problems to deal with. When the opening ceremony got underway, you could tell it wasn't going to be spectacular and I said so to my husband but when I thought about it, I actually thought that it was better that way and why should it be about money and how big a show one can put on ? .... it's supposed to be about unity, competing, friendship etc. and it came across like that .... and FUN !!!!!
DeleteMind you, I'm watching some rowing at the moment and they are saying that, although the venue is beautiful, the conditions aren't the best ....... it should be like a millpond but it's windy, the water is very choppy and not ideal .... they are being blown about all over the place !!!! XXXX
Well, the cream will surely rise to the top then. I'm with you on the spending. Most of the past olympic sights go unused and it should be about the competition. I heard the shiny guy took the show.
DeleteTrue .... the conditions are the same for everyone ..... not sure who the shiny guy was or if anyone actually stole the show !!!!! XXXX
DeleteI watched too . . .
ReplyDeleteAnd sensed disorganization . .
I like your hopefulness for Rio's next days . . .
I think it is best . . . to think and hope for the best . . .
I was most impressed seeing a "world of athletes" . . . happy, friendly in a common unity . . .
It was rather disorganised wasn't it Lynne ? ...... apparently, they had a rehearsal on Wednesday which went very badly and the organiser thought that was good and that they would focus on the day ....... I don't think that they did !! I do think that it came across as fun though and I do hope that things will go well. XXXX
DeleteJust watching the cycling. Beautiful Rio beaches. I hope the Games go well for everybody involved and the people of Rio. I didn't stay up for the Opening ceremony as I like to get my beauty sleep. Unusual post for you Jackie but very welcome to draw us into the Games me thinks!
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel,
DeleteSorry .... for some reason I've missed a couple of your posts ...... timing !! .... will be there for the next one !!
As you know, we love a bit of sport ..... have already watched some rowing, a bit of tennis and am now with the cycling ..... fabulous scenery but Steve Redgrave thinks they are trading off scenery for facilities { in the rowing anyway }
My posts can be very random Rachel ..... a bit of this and a bit of that and not a lot of it !! Enjoy the cycling .... were catching up to the lead group now !! XXXX
I was just saying that if I had won medals at the London Olympics I would quit - how can our athletes hope to top their achievements there. Expectations are high. Like any sporting event I only catch bits as I am not a big sports fan - what I do find annoying is that the Bbc don't cater for non-sports fans. No way would I have stayed up for the opening ceremony. Sorry, I sound so negative. Good job we aren't all the same eh!
ReplyDeleteI understand Elaine ..... it must be SO frustrating if you don't like sport !! I stay up for many things ..... I often watch tennis through the night when it's the Australian and US Open. You don't sound negative at all .... we all enjoy different things ... my sister is the same as me .... probably something to do with our upbringing !!
DeleteOlympics are finished on the Beeb now so you'll be OK for the rest of the evening !! XXXX
Sorry Elaine ...... I was on the red button .... I think the BBC stopped for the news but the Olympics are back again .... i feel your pain !!! XXXX
DeleteMy friend is the same as you, she has the to on all day for Wimbledon, the World Cup - anything where a bit of patriotism is involved. It isn't to say that I'm not patriotic, I just find it all terribly boring, as you say must be the upbringing. I remember when I was younger we were watching Brazil v. England when I lived at home, and I was rooting for Brazil! My Dad was not a happy bunny, and if my friends hadn't been there, I may well have got a clip round the ear :)
DeleteI am very patriotic Elaine ..... I think that's what makes me watch.
DeleteYou sound like my husband ..... he always used to support the ' other ' side .... I think he did it just to be awkward .... he doesn't do it now !! you've only got 15 more days of it !!! XXXX
Quite agree with you, and I stayed up to watch it too! And I shall enjoy watching the games too. Hubby and I have just watched the cycling, wow what a race! Enjoyed looking at the scenery, the mountains and the beaches. Fabulous Rio, go! x
ReplyDeleteI love the Games and it's a good opportunity to watch sports that you wouldn't normally watch isn't it ? ... and, what a fabulous backdrop. XXXX
DeleteEnjoy watching it happy weekend ...Trevor and us are on the riad again sitting in our cabrio enjoying summer nights......love love love Ria ❤️❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time with Trevor Ria and give his ears a rub from me !!! XXXX
DeleteI watched a bit the following morning. I saw one elderly man reading from a bit of paper in English, and he didn't seem to know what he was reading. Towards the end he became totally lost. A lot of it did seem very disorganised, I think they probably relied too much on the fireworks. Now to all the running and jumping; let's hope that the UK does well.
ReplyDeleteThat was Kipchoge Keino. He is the first ever recipient to receive the Olympic Laurel Award. He won a gold medal in 1986 for the 1500 metres but, he was also honoured for his charity work .... he works with orphans and opened a children's home in 1973 after he retired from athletics. But, he really did get lost with his speech .... he is probably far more comfortable helping others than making speeches on the world stage, poor man. Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas and the other British cyclists didn't do too well yesterday .... poor Geraint had to go to hospital BUT ..... we should get a gold this evening in the pool. Adam Peaty has already broken his own world record in his heat. XXXX
DeleteI didn't realise it was Kip Keino.... he's changed a lot. Yes, the cyclists were slightly disappointing.
DeleteI did not SEE any of it yet so this was GOOD to read.I only STAY UP FOR ROYAL WEDDINGS!!!!!!!!!!XX
ReplyDeleteHaha !!!! A Royal wedding is worth staying up for Elizabeth ..... We don't get many .... We're just waiting for Harry now !! XXXX
DeleteWonderful post, Jackie!!
ReplyDeleteHusband and I watched it and we loved it; felt very organic and genuine, and some of the art was absolutely stunning!!!
Been enjoying some of the games, too. xox
Hi Carol ..... love your new photo ..... wasn't sure who it was to start with !!
Delete...... and, it was wasn't it ? .... a bit messy in places but who cares. We've been watching on and off all afternoon !! I think that I'm going to write of the next fortnight !! XXXX
I did not see it. Too late for me. Only popping in to say hello, Jackie.
ReplyDeleteGreeting Maria x
Hi Maria & thanks for popping in .... I shouldn't think many stayed up for it .... I always do !! Mad, I know.
DeleteHope you are well and enjoying your beautiful Italian summer ... I'm envious !!!! XXXX
Hi Jackie, I watched some of it Sunday morning...I thought it looked pretty good really. I was very touched by the faces of all the little children carrying the plants, most of them will remember the spectacle for the whole of their lives. I was actually struck by the look of our team members...after all the fabulous outfits of a lot of the other teams, then came ours, RED trainers first (?) then the shorts etc. I personally was very underwhelmed, by their gear. However Jackie, I have to admit that I'm of the Elaine camp, not too much of a sports fan, though that might possibly change should my granddaughter grow up to compete. She's a whizz at present in the local Harriers team!
ReplyDeleteHi Jane ...... the red trainers weren't the best fashion statement were they ?!!!! I think they had them in London too ! The children were sweet, carrying the plants .... a bit of a copy of London when the children carried the copper petals { but that's OK !! }
DeleteThis is not the best two weeks if your not a sports fan ...... you and Elaine will have to surf the other channels !!!! We won the gold medal in the swimming pool and his grandmother was the star of the show ...... that might be you in a few years time !!!!! XXXX
This was the first time in quite a while that I didn't watch the entire Opening ceremonies, for two reasons. One - I'm an American and, thanks to the Portuguese alphabet, our athletes came out much earlier than usual. And two, my young daughters wore me out that day (and every other day). They were too young to watch the London or Sochi games, so they were fast asleep before the ceremonies started. But at this age they've got more energy than my wife and I!
ReplyDeleteThe Pedestrian Writer
Hi Chris ...... yes, their alphabet got us all confused I think ...... the US and UK are always at the end aren't they !! .... and, our children are grown up with children of their own so I don't have that problem anymore !! ..... although, I am often worn out by my grandchildren so I know how you feel !! XXXX
DeleteThe cost of these things is unbelievable. I see such poverty there.
ReplyDeleteI watched some of it, but get distracted by work piling up on me.
Never was much for sports, except for Mark Spitz and Mike Philph
The rich are very rich and most are poor ..... most didn't want the Games Yvonne and there is much unrest there. I'm watching it as I like pretty much all sports and it's only once every four years !! Rio is putting on a reasonable show though .... a few things have gone wrong but, I think they knew that was going to happen ! XXXX
DeleteMost of the Olympics events leave me cold, but I do enjoy the gymnastics and synchronised diving. The sheer skill involved is breathtaking. I just don't understand why the Olympics have to keep moving from one country to another rather than staying in one place (Greece perhaps?). Each new set of Olympics facilities costs millions to the poor long-suffering taxpayers, with little residual benefit.
ReplyDeleteWell Nick ..... As a sports fan I think that all of th athletes, whatever the sport, have unbelievable skills. I like the Olympics as, every 4 years I watch sports that I never watch any other time ! I see what you mean about keeping it in one country butI think it is meant to be of benefit . They just showed a bit of the athletics in London 2012 and the stadium was packed to bursting ...... Switch to the Rio athletics today and it's virtually empty ...... The majority of Brazilians are far too poor to buy s ticket so maybe Rio wasn't a good choice. XXXX
DeleteThe divers at pool were wonderful. Just a note to say Hi be well. yvonne
ReplyDeleteNot having subscription television, and being too far away to receive a signal from everywhere, I've not seen any of the Olympics. However, that's not keeping me from saying...London compare to Beijing? Not happening. Ever. I never tire of London and have no desire to go to Beijing.
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