Rio 2016: what we can learn from this event

So the Olympics are over... After many medals – actually, not that much for Brazil, although the country had its best results in Olympic Games’ history – and many difficulties, the world had seen Brazil in its best form – or not. Since early 2016, rumour has it that Brazil was completely inappropriate and unprepared to receive this major event. Not only the country was going through a political reverse, but also the constructions for the games were too late and too badly made, which caused a great stir among athletes and the IOC, responsible for Rio 2016 Olympic Games. In addition, a major infectious hecatomb was abridging Brazil: the zika virus, which has already caused many deaths and fetal malformations (mainly microcephaly), and also de-encouraged many athletic delegations to join the Olympics. Yes, now Rio 2016 is over, but there’s a lot to learn from it…

First of all, the opening ceremony. Made with a very reduced budget than previous ones, the opening in Maracanã Stadium was happily praised due to its creativity and its colourful mise-en-scène. However there were criticism about the choices of musical attractions and the almost unnoticeable presence of Michel Temer, Vice President of Brazil in exercise of the function of President of Brazil. Artists such as Karol Conká and Elza Soares were revered by the crowd, as long as Anitta and Caetano Veloso were considered as minor figures – also, the fact that Veloso decided to show his opposition to Dilma Roussef’s impeachment and Temer’s government by raising a panel written “Fora Temer” (Off With Temer) was heavily criticized.

On the other hand, afraid of being booed by the audience, the President asked not to be formally announced, which caused discomfort among the presents, since Temer is officially the Head of Brazilian State and should have been presented as this. The Internet is unforgiving, so it didn’t take too long to start appearing jokes and memes about Temer’s ghost-like apparition.

In addition, an inelegant and unforeseen happening was disgusted by the Heads of State present in the opening: José Serra, the just-nominated Minister of Foreign Affairs, decided to fire the Chief of Ceremonial of Itamaraty’s Palace, Fernando Igreja, one day before the opening ceremony, due to his connections with Rousseff’s government. The firing was reported in the press as something previously arranged, but the truth is even Igreja was caught by surprise.

After the opening, some incident involving foreign athletes were seen as bad to Brazilian portrait in front of all nations: the Brazilian audience, still unprepared for some sports, booed some games and caused stir amongst the athletes and teams; a group of Olympic swimmers got involved in a drunk fight in a gas station and, trying not to be injured by the incident, decided to lie to the police by reporting an armed robbery; and also the critics from some athletes about the audience’s attitude not being suitable for an event such as the Olympic Games. These minor troubles are certainly bad to Brazil in comparison to other countries, but it might be remembered that we are no example of politeness nor morality to anyone.

In the closing ceremony, things went through nicely and Rio de Janeiro passed the Olympic Torch to Tokyo, city in which will happen the next edition of the event, in 2020. Temer wasn’t even present at Maracanã Stadium this time, so his detractors had more than enough reasons to criticize him and his actions as President.

Although people are still surrounded by the Olympic spirit, it is utterly important to notice that municipal elections are about to happen and people must be aware of their representatives in these Legal and Executive bodies. Unfortunately the majority will still be deceived by “panis et circensis”, a way of leading a government as old as time, but we all still fight for development in basic education – fatally, the only way out of this trap.