Making the most of it: Hong Kong’s Olympic team revel in their moment during Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony
Olympians get swept up in carnival atmosphere as torch is lit to mark the start of the Games
It was a carnival atmosphere all around at the Maracana for the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Games last night and the Hong Kong Olympic delegation were determined to make the most of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
As they patiently waited for 91 other nations to enter the storied stadium ahead of them, they passed the time snapping selfies and soaking up the electric atmosphere.
WATCH: Highlights of delegations’ parade and lighting of the Olympic cauldron
Some of the athletes themselves were quick to post snaps of their special Rio moments to their own social media accounts.
A photo posted by StephanieAu 歐鎧淳 (@stephaniehsau) on Aug 5, 2016 at 3:01pm PDT
A photo posted by Sze Hang Yu 施幸余 (Rosanna) (@szehangyu) on Aug 5, 2016 at 4:37pm PDT
Chef de mission Kenneth Fok said, “You can always trust the Brazilians to put on a great party, that’s what we did – joined a flamboyant party today.”
The Opening Ceremony was produced with a smaller budget than the massive outlay of Beijing in 2008 and, to a lesser extent, London four years ago. Yet, with a theme of sustainability at its core, it delivered the type of spectacle needed to cast off some of the negativity which has threatened to derail the Games in the run-up, and alter the mood ahead of the three-week carnival.
“Our athletes enjoyed themselves, took pictures, mingled with others and danced together!” added Fok. “It was a great experience.”