adminRIO DE JANEIRO. — The Rio de Janeiro Olympics opening ceremony on Friday will break with the recent tradition of large-scale and expensive shows, featuring a low-emissions cauldron and an “analogue” experience, executive producer Marco Balich said on Monday. With a few days to go until the first Games in South America get underway, Balich said the show at the Maracana was tailored to the current economic conditions in the country.“This is not an opulent event given the situation in Brazil,” said Balich, who has been involved in several past Games ceremonies.
Brazil is suffering its worst recession since the 1930s.
“It does not have the grandiosity of Beijing, the huge special effects of Athens, the eccentricity and technological skills of London. It is an analogue opening ceremony,” Balich said.
The show, expected to cost about half the $42 million spent by London in 2012, is based on the themes of sustainability, the Brazilian smile and “gambiarra”, the ability to keep functioning with makeshift fixes.
4 800 people will take part in the opening ceremony. — Reuters.
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