A main and lasting feature of the Opening Ceremony for the Rio-de-Janeiro staging of the Olympic Games 2016, was the effort by the Caribbean–minded producers to give their regional viewers a fair slice of the cake (photos below).
Too many times in the past, our people were denied the joy and satisfaction of viewing the march past of their athletes, courtesy of some commercial break or a plain absence of focus on athletes, who might well disappear from the headlines for the remainder of what this time, will be a 17 day event. This was their moment and with Trini sporting icon, former Soca Warriors goalkeeper, Shaka Hyslop at the presentation steering wheel, Caribbean eyes were kept smiling.
Usain Bolt, always grabbing the headlines, as his movements or lack thereof warrants extreme media attention, absented himself. Not sure how much to read in his media report that he was just “lazy,” but thankfully, as announced during the viewing, his no-show was not caused by some alleged poisoning, as had been swirling around during the hours prior.
Triple sprint queen in waiting, Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, toting the black, gold and green flag, was not her usual sprightly and ecstatic self but attractive hair ensemble in her country’s colours, all but made up for what was expected.
Bahamas’ Shaunae Miller, also the flag bearer and on golden path, was as radiantly steeped in self confidence as her countryfolk would want her to be. T&T’s surprise London javelin champion, Keshorn Walcott, had his name called in terms of zeroing in on another podium spot.
All in all, it was a display of grandeur, befitting the spectacle that will shortly unfold. May the world welcome and bask in the glory and splendour of Rio 2016.
