Despite the Zika virus, Russian dopers, apartments said to be unfit for human habitation, fear of terrorism, and excrement in the water-events bay, the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro will have its opening ceremonies tonight, Friday, at 7:00 p.m. ET, to be televised on NBC. (Go here for how to watch the ceremony and the subsequent games online.)
Despite the uncertainty and the concerns, the event, which goes from August 5-21, promises to be a good show. Team USA is expected to do very well.
There have been years that I have resisted, but then I turn on the TV and get drawn in. Part of that is how the games are covered: The television shows not just the contest but also goes deeply into the “human” side of the games, telling about the different participants and their sometimes inspiring stories.
Are you a fan? Will you be watching? Do you know any dramas or interesting contests that we should be watching for?
From Rio Olympics 2016: 31st Games set for opening ceremony – BBC Sport:
The 31st Olympic Games officially start in Rio on Friday with the opening ceremony at the Maracana Stadium.
Athletes from 206 nations and a refugee team are in Brazil to compete in 31 sports and be watched by a global audience of billions.
The build-up has been dominated by a Russian doping scandal, the Zika virus and issues with the city’s security, infrastructure and venues.
But it is time for the sporting action to take centre stage as the first Olympics in South America begin.
