Olympics kicks off with eye catching ceremony

Dinesh Weerawansa reporting from Brazil

RIO DE JANAIRO, Aug. 6 - The latest version of the world's greatest sporting extravaganza - the summer Olympic Games, got off to a spectacular start at Maracana Stadium here last night. It was one of the most eye-catching opening ceremonies in the Games' history as Olympics came to the South American continent for the first time in its 120-year-old history.

The three-hour long opening ceremony was a rich blend of Brazilian culture and modern technology as spectators of the packed stadium, originally built for the 1950 FIFA World Cup and renovated for the 2014 FIFAWorld Cup, enjoyed every moment for the spectacular which was watched by billions .

The proud flag bearer of the Sri Lanka contingent was marathon runner Anuradha Indrajith Cooray, who will be competing in his third Olympics after appearances in Athens 2004 and London 2012.

"This is one of the most memorable moments in my life. It was a great honour and I will give out my best to make it a personal success s well," the 38-year-old veteran long distance runner said after Friday night's opening ceremony.

Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee, who is also functioning as the Chef-de-Mission of the Sri Lanka contingent, took part in the opening ceremony parade with the Sri Lanka contingent.

After months of intensive planning, hundreds of banner headlines and years of hard training for the world's top athletes, the Rio 2016 Olympic Games are finally here.

Last night's opening ceremony looks set to be a flamboyant feast of Brazilian culture. People across Rio and other major cities across the host nation proved that if there's one country that knows how to party, it's none other than Brazil.

Three huge Ocas - or native huts - created out of the long elastic bandy things. Traditional dances to accompany dramatic music.

All to do with Brazil's indigenous roots. The XXX1st Olympiad kicked off in spectacular fashion and the opening ceremony was a riot of music and a celebration of Brazil's multi-ethnic history, watched by audiences around the world. Samba music featured prominently at the event, put together by the City of God director Fernando Ferreira Meirelles.

Supermodel Gisele dazzled the crowds at the opening ceremony, in what was billed as her final catwalk appearance. Millions of people across the planet caught the excitement but not everyone is happy about the event taking place in Rio.

As proceedings get under way inside the Maracana, it has got somewhat ugly between protesters and police outside the venue.

Police have shot tear gas at a group of anti-Olympic protesters who assembled in a neighbourhood about a half-mile from the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The biggest disappointment to the soccer-crazy Brazilian fans was the last minute withdrawal of legendary player Pele from lighting the Olympic flame at opening ceremony in Rio due to "physical frailty".

The 75-year-old legendary Brazilian footballer wrote to the organising committee saying he cannot light the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony. Widely regarded as the world's all-time greatest football player, Pelé played for Brazil in four consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments from 1958 to 1970.

He was favourite to perform the prestigious duty last evening, which has previously been carried out by other sporting superstars including Muhammad Ali and Cathy Freeman. The sporting great has been suffering from muscle pains and had hip surgery earlier this year. "I'm not in physical condition to take part in the opening ceremony.

Only the God is more important than my health. In my life, I've had fractures, surgeries, pain, hospital stays, victories and defeats. I have always respected those who admire me," Pele was quoted as saying.

In Pele's absence, Gustavo Kuerten, the three-time French Open champion and tennis great, entered the stadium with the Olympic flame. But it was Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima who had the rare honour. Lima was leading the 2004 Olympic marathon when he was tackled to the ground by a spectator to miss out on gold but he has his moment at his home Olympics yesterday.

Leandra Medeiros Cerezo - aka Lea T, a Brazilian transgender model hosted the mega opening ceremony, becoming the first transgender woman to host in the history of the games. Born on 19 February 1981 in Belo Horizonte to former Brazilian football player Toninho Cerezo, the supermodel grew up in Italy and still lives there today. In March 2012, she transitioned from male to female.

Hosts Brazil set an example to all, showing its concern to protect the environment and using it as a theme, instead of boasting about the country's image.

It was an exemplary and interesting contrast to the opening ceremonies of the last two opening ceremonies. The theme of Beijing 2008 was China is great, London 2012's was Britain was great. But the theme of Rio 2016 was " We better start doing something about the environment or we may not have many Olympics to celebrate in the future".

From today, an action packed 16 days' of Olympic action will entertain sports fans in all corners of the globe.