RIO events started before the opening ceremony and India started with a bang! India’s Atanu Das, lone male Archer stood 5^th in the ranking round in the opening event. This ranking will help him to avoid top archers in the initial rounds of 32. Whereas our top ranked women archers didn’t do so well. The team came 7^th and world no.3 Deepika Kumari came 20^th.

Opening ceremony of every Olympics is always an interesting mix of host culture, history along with the energy and colors of all participating nations. It is something to look forward to and that is the reason opening ceremony tickets are always most expensive.
RIO presented a very contemporary overview of history of Brazil and for me the most interesting piece of Brazil history was that apart from Portuguese, Africans and Arabs Brazil was also invaded by Japanese in early 19^th century and they became natives over a period of time. Every opening ceremony brings something new and RIO brought a very unique concept of collecting seeds from every athlete. More than 200 variety of seeds were assigned for each participating nation and every athlete pierced these seeds into little pots. After the games these 11000+ pots will be transplanted in a park in RIO to create another Amazon forest in memory of the games. What a wonderful thought in the times when environment is becoming so critical.

Brazilian calypso tradition was reflecting in the environment with the body movement of every volunteer in the middle. All of them were swinging happily with the music all through their activities. Another new was that every walking contingent was supported a music band of 5 playing the music of that country. Such a beautiful aspect added to integrate the local culture with every visiting nation. Even a country like Togaru with a lone flag bearing athlete was accompanied with the band. It was just fantastic. This also made me realise that watching through this opening ceremony I came to know of so many countries on this planet which I never heard of!

Overall energy and mood during the athlete parade is always very exciting for all participating athletes. This is a moment to remember for rest of the life for each one of them. Although India has sent the largest contingent this time but it didn’t look very large during the parade. Hockey team and few others competing early next morning skipped the parade.

Day 1 is action packed for India and if all goes well we may have couple of podium finishes. India’s Hockey, Tennis, Rowing and Table Tennis teams will start their campaign. Whereas we have some exciting shooters on the first day. First time we have two young girls in 10 Mt Air Rifle and both, Apurvi and Ayonika stand a chance to beat anyone on the day. Later, Jitu and Gurpreet will be aiming at 10 Mt range with their pistols. Jitu having won three world cup gold medals during the last 14 months is one of the favourites to get a Gold in shooting. India has 12 shooters this time and all of them all capable to come back with medals.

Starting 4.45 PM today, I will be stuck to my TV with all my prayers and best wishes for all our fellow athletes.