RIO DE JANEIRO: Thousands of Brazilians angry at political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio Olympics blocked traffic in protests hours before the gala opening ceremony.
Most people came to vent anger at center-right interim president Michel Temer who took power in May on the suspension of the elected leftist president, Dilma Rousseff, for an impeachment trial that her supporters claim amounts to a coup.
The demonstrators, however, also targeted the Olympics, saying the billions of dollars spent on staging South America’s first Games fueled corruption and only helped the elite.
Waving signs that read “No to the Olympics!” and “Temer out!,” about 3,000 people blocked a major avenue outside the luxury Copacabana Palace Hotel where many Olympic team members are staying.
Guests with Olympic accreditation around their necks looked down from the hotel terrace at the protest, while the crowd jeered at vehicles taking Olympic VIPs and athletes through the upscale neighborhood.
When a limousine surrounded by police outriders came through, the crowd surged forward, chanting “no to the coup” and “putschists, fascists, we won’t let them pass!“
The protest was the latest unwelcome distraction for Brazilian authorities and Olympic organizers ahead of the opening ceremony at the 78,600 capacity Maracana Stadium.
However, there’s going to be no shortage of samba, culture or diversity in the opening ceremony as Brazil proudly showcases its traditions and environmental wonders.
Millions of television viewers from around the world are expected to watch the three-hour ceremony in Rio de Janeiro on Friday night, which comes as the country is reeling from political and economic turmoil.
Organizers are making sure that global warming and the environment, especially the country’s magnificent Amazon rainforest, are important parts of the ceremony.
In all, 4,800 performers and volunteers will be involved in the show at Rio’s Maracana stadium. NBC will broadcast the opening ceremony on a one-hour tape delay because it wants the extravaganza to be shown completely in US prime time.
Samba and pop music singers are expected to perform, including Grammy award winners Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. Supermodel Gisele Bundchen will also be on hand to promote her native Brazil.
Meanwhile, Pele says his poor health will keep him from lighting the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics.
In a statement on Friday, Pele said, “I’m not physically able to attend the opening of the Olympics.”
Friday’s opening ceremony will need to fill a void without Brazil’s most famous athlete. He had hip surgery several years ago and often walks with the help of a cane.
In his statement, Pele says: “Only God is more important than my health. In my life, I’ve had fractures, surgeries, pain, hospital stays, victories and defeats. And I’ve always respected those who admire me.”
He says it was “my own decision.”
Pele apologized for disappointing Brazilians and says, “as a Brazilian, I ask God to bless all who participate in this event.”
He signed the statement Edson Arantes do Nascimento — Pele.
The world rowing federation has cleared a previously banned Russian rower from competing in the Olympics but says Russia has decided to leave him at home anyway.
Ivan Podshivalov, who received a two-year doping ban in 2008, got a last-minute go-ahead to compete in Rio after a sports arbitration panel rejected a rule barring Russian athletes with prior doping sanctions from competing in the games.
However, world rowing federation FISA said Friday that with the Olympics about to start the Russian rowing federation had decided to stick to its lineup in the men’s four and leave Podshivalov in Moscow.
FISA upheld the ban of another Russian rower who had been suspended in 2008, Anastasia Karabelshikova, saying she didn’t meet the criteria for competing in the games.
Kim Woojin of South Korea set a recurve world record with a score of 700 during the qualifying round of archery at the Rio Olympics.
The 24-year-old Kim beat the previous mark of 699 for 72 arrows set by Im Dong-Hyun at the 2012 London Games.
A perfect score is 720 as archers shoot at total of 72 arrows over 12 rounds. The results of Friday’s qualifying round are used to determine seeding for the final in the rounds next week.
American Brady Ellison was second with a score of 690 and David Pasqualucci of Italy wound up third with 685. Brazilian and medal favorite Marcus D’Almeida wound up 34th in qualifying.
Most people came to vent anger at center-right interim president Michel Temer who took power in May on the suspension of the elected leftist president, Dilma Rousseff, for an impeachment trial that her supporters claim amounts to a coup.
The demonstrators, however, also targeted the Olympics, saying the billions of dollars spent on staging South America’s first Games fueled corruption and only helped the elite.
Waving signs that read “No to the Olympics!” and “Temer out!,” about 3,000 people blocked a major avenue outside the luxury Copacabana Palace Hotel where many Olympic team members are staying.
Guests with Olympic accreditation around their necks looked down from the hotel terrace at the protest, while the crowd jeered at vehicles taking Olympic VIPs and athletes through the upscale neighborhood.
When a limousine surrounded by police outriders came through, the crowd surged forward, chanting “no to the coup” and “putschists, fascists, we won’t let them pass!“
The protest was the latest unwelcome distraction for Brazilian authorities and Olympic organizers ahead of the opening ceremony at the 78,600 capacity Maracana Stadium.
However, there’s going to be no shortage of samba, culture or diversity in the opening ceremony as Brazil proudly showcases its traditions and environmental wonders.
Millions of television viewers from around the world are expected to watch the three-hour ceremony in Rio de Janeiro on Friday night, which comes as the country is reeling from political and economic turmoil.
Organizers are making sure that global warming and the environment, especially the country’s magnificent Amazon rainforest, are important parts of the ceremony.
In all, 4,800 performers and volunteers will be involved in the show at Rio’s Maracana stadium. NBC will broadcast the opening ceremony on a one-hour tape delay because it wants the extravaganza to be shown completely in US prime time.
Samba and pop music singers are expected to perform, including Grammy award winners Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. Supermodel Gisele Bundchen will also be on hand to promote her native Brazil.
Meanwhile, Pele says his poor health will keep him from lighting the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics.
In a statement on Friday, Pele said, “I’m not physically able to attend the opening of the Olympics.”
Friday’s opening ceremony will need to fill a void without Brazil’s most famous athlete. He had hip surgery several years ago and often walks with the help of a cane.
In his statement, Pele says: “Only God is more important than my health. In my life, I’ve had fractures, surgeries, pain, hospital stays, victories and defeats. And I’ve always respected those who admire me.”
He says it was “my own decision.”
Pele apologized for disappointing Brazilians and says, “as a Brazilian, I ask God to bless all who participate in this event.”
He signed the statement Edson Arantes do Nascimento — Pele.
The world rowing federation has cleared a previously banned Russian rower from competing in the Olympics but says Russia has decided to leave him at home anyway.
Ivan Podshivalov, who received a two-year doping ban in 2008, got a last-minute go-ahead to compete in Rio after a sports arbitration panel rejected a rule barring Russian athletes with prior doping sanctions from competing in the games.
However, world rowing federation FISA said Friday that with the Olympics about to start the Russian rowing federation had decided to stick to its lineup in the men’s four and leave Podshivalov in Moscow.
FISA upheld the ban of another Russian rower who had been suspended in 2008, Anastasia Karabelshikova, saying she didn’t meet the criteria for competing in the games.
Kim Woojin of South Korea set a recurve world record with a score of 700 during the qualifying round of archery at the Rio Olympics.
The 24-year-old Kim beat the previous mark of 699 for 72 arrows set by Im Dong-Hyun at the 2012 London Games.
A perfect score is 720 as archers shoot at total of 72 arrows over 12 rounds. The results of Friday’s qualifying round are used to determine seeding for the final in the rounds next week.
American Brady Ellison was second with a score of 690 and David Pasqualucci of Italy wound up third with 685. Brazilian and medal favorite Marcus D’Almeida wound up 34th in qualifying.
