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| Author | Topic: Pan American Games begun with a colorful ceremony |
| Ikarus-360 |
posted 7/14/07 9:28 PM
With a great show of 2 hours, the XV Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro has been officialy opened. The ceremony began with the entrance of President of Brasil, Luis Ignacio ”Lula” Da Silva (he was acommpanied with presidents of Venezuela, Honduras and Panama, and also with the president of the International Olympic Comittee, Jacques Rooge), getting booed by the spectators at Maracana. Just after this, singer Elza Soares (in the past, wife of soccer legend Garrincha) performs the national anthem. After the performance of the anthem, a countdown began, starting at the number 15, the number of Pan American Games hosted until now, showing on each number all of the cities that previously hosted the games (Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Chicago, Sao Paulo, Winnipeg, Cali, Mexico City, San Juan, Caracas, Indianapolis, Havana, Mar del Plata, Winnipeg and Santo Domingo). At the end of the countdown, fireworks were displayed at the main stage on the center of the field. Ana Costa entered the stage with hundreds of drummers, performing the official theme of the games: ”Viva essa Energia”, in a cheerful atmosphere with all the spectators being moved by the music, and the drummers, forming a giant spiral at the stage, resembling the sun. After this, the parade of nations begun, starting with Argentina, host of the First Pan American Games. The last nation entering the stadium was Brazil, with a cheerful and happy spirit, moving with the rythm of the traditional brazilian music that sounded during all the parade of nations. After the end of the parade, Ana Costa entered the stage once again to perform a reprise of the musical theme of the games. After the performance of the Brazilian Orchestra of an special Anthem, the cultural segment began, with Actress Nathalia Timberg reads a poem composed by Arnaldo Antunes, about the energy of the sun. Next, a representation of the multi-diverse fauna and nature of Brazil is performed, with giant snakes and crocodiles, as well for flowers and plants (some performers at the center stage practiced the traditional Capoeira fighting style). Next, a resemblance of the sea by performers in blue costumes, makes it appearance, and suddenly is transformed into a tropical beach, one of the main particular things of the city of Rio de Janeiro. At the same time, singer Cèu performs at the stage. After the segment, every turns dark and the music turns more calm, and singer Adriana Calcagnhotto appears, sitted into a giant chair, surrounded by gigantic figures moving slowly, singing a brazilian Lullaby. After this calm segment, clowns with trumpets appears, and the stage is surrounded by fireworks, marking the beginning of the Boi Bumba, a popular brazilian folckloric dance. At the same time, Cordel do Fogo Encantado musical group, from the city of Arcoverde, performs at the main stage. A fireworks show is displayed in the roof of the Maracana Stadium. With the end of the cultural performances, a video in the screens of the stadium shows all of the journey of the Pan American Flame, which started at the ruins of Tenochtitlan in Mexico, and crossed all of the most importants spots of Brazil (famous sportmens like Ronaldinho carried the torch). In the speeches, Carlos Nuzman, president of the Organizing Comittee, thanked all of the brazlian people, and the volunteers for all their work to make the games possible. Also, we stated that these games were a great oportunity to show the capacity of Brazil on hosting big sport events, prior to their future bid for the 2016 Olympics (and also for the 2014 FIFA Wolrd Cup, which it seems that they already have it on their hands). President of the PASO, Mario Vazques Raña, congratulated the 42 Comittees and their sportmens that conforms the organization, wishing for all of them the best of luck and that the best may win. When Lula Da Silva, president of Brazi, was mentioned to open the games, he was totally booed by everyone at Maracana. After this, he acted really strange and stayed in front of the microphone without giving the speech, so Carlos Nuzman had to open the games by himself. Anyway, after his rare blooper :D (this is not new in Panam’s ceremonies,thougt), the flags of the International Olympic Comittee and the Pan American Sport Organization entered the stadium and next, they were hoisted. The oaths of the athletes and the Judges are made. Next, singer Chico Cesar, with actors, performs a song which was a prayer for peace in all the world. And finally, the Pan American flame entered the stadium, and being carried throught all of the stage by two groups of male and female athletes. Finally, Joaquim Cruz of Brazil, gold medalist in the 800m race at the Los Angeles Olympics, lights the cauldron, a giant structure who resembles the sun, to officially open the games. And, to close the ceremony, singer Daniela Mercury performs the song ”Cidade Maravilosa” (Wonderful City), with all of the performers of the ceremony surrounding her, and finally, a magnificent display of fireworks at the Rio sky to signalize the start of 15 days of competences. Watch the entire opening ceremony here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naonghE8nQ0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrGtHoXD_KY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXEeN7YYYBM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dbf-dEgATyI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuQ20WQvztk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StxshYZsaqw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQQ7TI_Jj1A Also, visit my Youtube channel to keep an eye with my next video-updates of the Pan American Games. See ya ;) http://panamerican.pa.funpic.org/ My Pan American Games Blog |
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