Off the wire
• Prison director jailed in wake of murderous riot  • Xinhua China news advisory -- Feb. 14  • Cuba confirms to sign agreement with U.S. to resume direct flights  • Thiem causes major upset by defeating Nadal in Buenos Aires  • Former Shenhua player recovers in hospital after severe crash  • Rousseff vows Rio Olympics will happen, despite Zika fears  • China's Olympic speed skating champ Zhang Hong takes bronze at worlds  • Portuguese soccer league standings  • Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, Feb. 14  • Spain claims another European gold in Futsal  
You are here: 　 Home

Rio Carnival heats up for Olympics

Xinhua, February 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

"The second biggest event in Rio this year is over. Now it's time to get ready for the biggest."

This is a message sent by Rio Olympics organizers after the 2016 Rio Carnival lowered its curtain on Saturday.

With less than six months until the Rio Olympics begin, the city embraces Olympics in street parties and Olympians past and present join the parades at the Sambodromo, the home of Rio Carnival.

"Feeling this energy, it makes you excited, the Games are here!" The words of Brazilian volleyball player Gabi Guimaraes on February 7 at the Sambodromo. She said the celebrations were just "a glimpse" of what is to come in August 2016 when Rio hosts the first Olympic Games in South America.

At the Sambodromo - which will host the archery and marathon finish during the Games - the Rio 2016 spirit was in full effect as mascots Vinicius and Tom got the celebrations up and running.

As it is the year of the first Latin American Olympics, the Rio Olympics are also the favorite theme of the samba schools. The Uniao da Ilha samba school has chosen an Olympics theme for its dancers and floats.

The samba school presented the theme "Olympic in nature. Everyone is meeting in Rio" in February 7 evening, the first day of the special group carnival competition. Their procession included dancers clad in ancient Greek-style costumes, a large depiction of the famous Christ the Redeemer statue and athletes from cyclists to acrobatic wheelchair competitors.

During its parade, sport and samba combined from beginning to end. Vanderlei Cordeira de Lima, who won the Pierre de Coubertin medal after finishing third in the Athens 2004 marathon despite being attacked by a spectator while leading, led the way, carrying a replica of the Rio Olympic torch.

The final float was packed with Brazilian Olympic medalists, such as volleyball players Giba, Giovane and Jaque Silva, and swimmer Ricardo Prado, as well as current athletes, including synchronized swimming duet Duda and Luisa, and volleyball player Gabi, with everyone signing the samba school's lyrics.

After the carnival, Rio 2016 will stage a further 22 test events to warm up the city for the sporting extravaganza. Endi