Opening Ceremony Recap

I actually don't have much to say about the opening ceremony. I got started almost two hours late after a long day working a golf tournament, so I knew the success of me staying awake to watch the whole thing was slim. I made through a good amount of the Parade of Nations, catching up to live TV, before starting to drift off. I'd wake up and countries were still marching in and then the Olympic flag was arriving and then it was finally time to light the cauldron.

I enjoyed the parts I was awake for and need to go back and re-watch it. Yes, it was a little different than some of the more recent opening ceremonies because Rio was not as set on creating a spectacle and over-the-top show. They also didn't have the money for it. But the goal of the opening ceremony is always to share yourself with the world and try to have people understand your culture. I think that was accomplished.

Yes, the Parade of Nations took forever. It always does. I'm not sure why people think that it'll ever be any different. Every Olympics more countries send delegations. It's not exactly going to get shorter. Yes, it was also a little tape delayed. This show doesn't have live bathroom breaks and the network has to take commercial breaks. That's how they make their money - advertising. They don't bid millions of dollars to for broadcasting rights not to earn it back through the advertisers. I read some comments on an NBC video, which were just hilarious, with people complaining about the amount of commercials and missing countries during the Parade of Nations. Ok, first, did you care that much about the entrance about Bhutan? And second, if you don't like commercials, get a DVR!

Then there was the Tongan flag bearer, who has become the latest viral sensation. Everyone talking about this guy!

I thought the lighting of the cauldron was nicely done and is a different look than some of the more recent Olympics. I like that someone who unfairly lost his chance for a medal was given the honor.

There were plenty of fluff pieces in the beginning that I love and will watch over again, several times. But my favorite part is always the excitement that the athletes show when marching in. I can only imagine what that feeling is like. The reception that the Refugee Olympic Team (ROT) gave me goosebumps but my favorite moment was the reaction from this Bolivian athlete. His emotions are exactly why I love the Olympics.