TorchbearerAA

It's sad that the 'normal' foreign spectators are likely to be banned and the foreign spectators from sponsors, media, IOC, NOCs etc will be welcome. How many foreign spectaros exactly normally are visiting the Olympics? There are 1 million tickets available for overseas visitors. It's lilely visitors have more tickets per person, so maybe around 150,000 to 200,000? Except the sponsor guests etc.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is the flagbearer for Jamaica.

First there was a video on Youtube with pictures of the Sydney 2000 OTR and sung by a man (so not the song by Tina Arena). After it was removed from Youtube never found this song again. Anyone remember this song and can you give me the name (or place where to find the video now)?

I am really going to miss Claudia Bokel.

During the opening ceremony of the IOC session the IOC members were all wearing those green/white ties. Is this the first time this is happening? Cannot remember saw it before.

The look of the Games is not that much in the Aquatics centre. Nog pictures yet from the diving venue from inside?

Because some friends cannot go to Rio I have some tickets left: Swimming finals August 8th (2 tickets, category C) Equestrian final dressage team August 12th (1 ticket, category B ) Diving semi final 3m men August 16th (2 tickets, category D) If interested in any of the tickets, please contact me. I have them all in hand. Leaving Thursday, so can send them tomorrow or hand them over in Rio.

From people who watched the ceremony live or via internet, is it true there is a LGBT section in the ceremony? Maybe you can answer in a hidden message so no spoilers.

I'd like to be very well prepared. So I like to ask if people can give some safety advices. Like how to take your camera with you (not a big one), where to put your phone etc. I know I will be many times alone, also after competitions going back to my accommodation which is partly in Lapa, and I want to reduce the chance being robbed. Probably it's not that unsafe as some people like to tell, but better safe than sorry.

Here is the list with all flagbearers known right now: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Summer_Olympics_Parade_of_Nations The Dutch flagbearer will be announced the day of the opening ceremony.

I'm looking for a place to watch the OC too. Was thinking about the harbour area where the flame will be lit and where there are big screens. But not going there alone. Can you people give some advice about how to take stuff with you around Rio, safety etc?

Seen this picture they use some wind so the flag will be seen in full, like Beijing did for the first time.

What's the meaning of this sign?

So from after anthem till parade of nations is half hour artistic section?

Till now I am far from dissapointed. I only have a question about entrance of dignitaries. Will it be different during the actual ceremony?

You can watch the link? Does not work on my phone

That's better. One person would be weird.

So .. now it's time.. it starts

First the IOC choose the sports to be included in the programme. Now the OCOG can make a proposal for events in stead of sports to be included in the Olympic programme. So the maximum is not 28 sports, but approximately 310 medal events in the Summer games. The IOC session needs to approve the OCOG proposal. So Tokyo 2020 proposed to include some events and the IOC session is going to decide on it next week.

Olympic programme 2020 will be decided by this IOC session. For the first time in the new way under Agenda 2020.

Is this real now? Where is it?

The Technical Manual on Ceremonies clearly states that "the delegations parade in alphabetical order according to the language of the host country, except for Greece, which leads the parade, and for the host country, which enters the stadium is last." So if the organisation accepted the request from NBC it was a breach of the host city contract (because the technical manuals are an integral part of the contract).

So sad.. the first time the Parade could be in Portugese and NBC is trying to take that away...

When are the dress rehearsals?

That's what I am thinking too. When will it happen? The athletes are already arriving ...