RIO 2016: As the famous Maracana Stadium descends into darkness, you can feel electricity in the air.

Three billion eyes from around the world on Rio de Janeiro.

It feels like the ultimate carnival as the crowd erupts in cheers and applause.

You can taste the anticipation as a moment in history is about to be made: the first time an Olympic Games has ever been held in South America.

You can only imagine how the Brazilian creative directors Fernando Meirelles, Andrucha Washington and Daniela Thomas must be feeling.

And at precisely 8pm, Maracana bursts into life.

An opening video demonstrates the way sport is intrinsically linked to Rio’s lifestyle. It shows the beauty of the city where both nature and urbanisation coexist harmoniously.

The first performers out are dressed in silver carrying large matching shiny silver sheets. The music rumbles through Maracana.

Fireworks explode from the Stadium’s roof, signalling the start of something special.

In a vivid blue suit, Paulinho da Viola plays an acoustic guitar accompanied by a small string orchestra as he elegantly sings the Brazilian national anthem from the modest white stage in the corner of the Stadium. Its shape is inspired by the forms and curves of the master of Brazilian modernist architecture Oscar Niemeyer. The crowd patriotically joins da Viola.

Sixty Brazilian flags enter carried by 10 Brazilian sport stars and 50 young champions. They are the next generation of Olympians; hope.

Before you know it, waves are projected onto the stadium floor. They crash before subsiding signalling the birth of life. The orchestral music is almost haunting.

Brazil is home to the biggest garden on the planet and the next scene depicts just that – the lush Amazon Rainforest. A giant green installation is beamed from above; an entanglement of dancers moves to the drums and woodwind accompaniment.

The mood intensifies.

From nature, a more contemporary Brazil rises.

A huge Brazilian metropolis skyline emerges showing the densely populated place that is Rio. It’s a celebration of urban civilisation as three parkour groups dressed in bright pink athletically criss-cross the rooves of the buildings; jumping and backflipping effortlessly as if flying through the air.

And then, something does fly through the air. It’s an airplane marking a new era in the development of the world. It’s Brazil spreading its wings.

Tonight, the world is with Brazil, celebrating ecology, diversity and joy.

International supermodel Gisele Bündchen emerges dressed in a breathtaking silver gown sweeping the floor. In front of a home crowd, she glides through the stadium in front of her biggest audience ever. She’s accompanied by a piano rendition of the song that made the Rio beach famous, “The Girl From Ipanema”. It’s the second most known song in the world (according to the Brazilians).

Suddenly Maracana shakes. The pulsating energy is rising from the favelas – the birthplace of Brazilian song and dance. This is popular culture at its best. Brazilian pop stars, including pop and funk singer Ludmilla, give it their all.

The bass drops and you can’t help but feel the urge to move. We are in Rio, afterall.

Dressed in a crisp white suit, legendary samba singer Elza Soares breaks into song demonstrating Rio’s most famous musical genre. And it seems to be a popular tune with the crowd, once again eagerly joining in.

Twelve-year-old rap prodigy MC Soffia and Karol Conka are the voice of Brazil’s hip hop scene and they know how to bring the party. Their poetry in motion sends a message of empowerment, representation and inclusion. A message set to vibrate well beyond the Stadium.

The stadium resembles Rio’s famous Carnival. Maracana is alive. It’s a kaleidoscope of colourful dance representing diversity. The crowd is on its feet, singing as one.

Known as the Parade of Nations, the athletes parade begins with Greece, the first of 206 countries participating in the Games. It’s tradition for Greece to come out first – a throwback to the birth of the ancient Olympic Games almost 3,000 years ago - followed by the teams in alphabetical order (according to the native language, Portuguese).

Upon entering the stadium, all competitors are handed a tube containing soil and a seed which will eventually be planted near Rio to create an “Athletes’ Forest” in Deodoro. In total 207 species; one for each delegation. The athletes place the seeds into brilliant towers spread across the stage. It’s a testament to the forests that Brazil is known for and will be a legacy of the Games.

As an Australian watching the Australian Team enter, the flag being held high by track cyclist Anna Meares, it’s a moment to behold.

Last to enter the stadium is the host, Brazil. The cheering is deafening; the energy palpable.

The mirrors where the seed tubes were lodged begin moving around the stage. They open, revealing vegetation that form five green Olympic rings. It represents the need to continue replanting forests across all five continents.

Then come the Olympic Opening Ceremony traditions – speeches from IOC President Thomas Bach, the awarding of the Olympic Laurel, 200 white kites representing the Dove of Peace and then declaration of the Games open by Acting President of Brazil, Michel Temer.

The Olympic Flag is carried into the Stadium and the Olympic Anthem rings out, followed by the Olympic oaths.

The party then continues; bright and colourful with more music from Brazil’s popular music icons and of course, it wouldn’t be a celebration in Brazil without some more samba accompanied by not one school of drums, but 12. Everyone is up on their feet dancing and clapping.

And now the Opening Ceremony culminates in the lighting of the Cauldron.

Brazilian marathon runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima has been bestowed the honour. He came to international attention after a spectator attacked him during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games marathon while he was leading the race at 35 km. Following the incident he fell back from first to third place, winning the bronze medal. 

It’s a modest flame, in line with Brazil’s recent austerity measures and sends an environmental message, but it burns brightly, igniting the spirit of the athletes that line the stadium floor.

A second cauldron will burn in a recently renovated old port facility in the city centre known colloquially as “The Marvellous Port”, allowing visitors to get up close.

Four hours later, with cheeks hurting from smiling, hands red from clapping, throats hoarse from cheering, the packed stadium disperses.

And now the Games begin.

Sophie Onikul
olympics.com.au