RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — First, the opening ceremony drew praise from all over the world. Then there were parties all over Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil's first medalist on Saturday.
A sweet start to the Olympics prompted the return of a familiar chant from the 2014 World Cup that had been pushed into the darkness by years of bad news. "I am Brazilian, with a lot of pride, with a lot of love," they celebrated.
With the Olympics in full swing, beleaguered Brazil is smiling again.
"We are not stupid, we know the economy crisis doesn't end with Olympic Games," 46-year-old volunteer Marcos Silveira said at a bar hours after an opening ceremony steeped in local culture and history.