Rio Opens Year of Olympics -- OpEd

(ATR) Rio de Janeiro ushers in the year of the Olympics.

Rio chose the themes of "100 years of Samba" and the Olympics as a way to bring some joy to the city for the celebration known as Reveillon.An estimated two million people, including yours truly, ventured to Copacabana Beach to see the first minutes of 2016. Many could be hoping for better than 2015.

The decline of the Brazilian economy accelerated in the past year andmultiple scandals have rocked the highest levels of government. President Dilma Rousseff endured single digit public support and her political rivals are seeking her impeachment.

Reveillon is a chance to escape these blues for Brazilians.

The entire Avenida Atlantica was shut down for road traffic during the night. Revelers dressed in white, the traditional New Year’s garb, and were treated to free concerts all day. Nearly ten cruise ships anchored offshore to get a glimpse of the spectacle as well. In the last few hours hours before midnight the bulk people made their way to the city's most famous beach to start fresh.

At midnight, for 16 minutes, all eyes turned to the skies where a brilliant fireworks display lit up the Atlantic Ocean shoreline.

Even in a sea of so many people, it never felt overwhelming. Even the ocean temperature was pleasant, for those who observed the tradition of jumping seven waves for good luck in the coming year.

There was plenty of security, but everyone seemed orderly and excited to just enjoy the night. Cops were clearly visible along the Avenida, but blended in the background as the night went on. The only other sight of them were helicopters paroling over the beach. It was a feeling that nearly everyone who will go back to their normal lives in Brazil after the holidays needed.

The coming year will be a busy time for Brazil. Just over 200 days remain until the 2016 Olympics and preparations will go down to the wire. The country faces a poor outlook economically, and many locals say things will get worse before they get better.

Even in the thick of all the messes, the Olympics remain a positive aspect for the city. Polls continue to show that residents are overwhelmingly in favor of the event, and every time I’ve asked locals how they feel about the Games, they welcome the eyes of the world coming to Rio.

The visual backdrop of the city will remain spectacular. The Games will go off smoothly, and Brazil will once again prove to be a wonderful host for the world’s top athletes. If the influx of tourists is anything like New Year's things will run. There will be different expectations from everyone, when so many cultures pour into a city, but even with a laid back attitude Brazil continues to pull off large events.

It is important to remember that life does not stop in Rio after the Games.Will urban mobility really be achieved from the massive public transit infrastructure built for the Games? Are the benefits going to reach those even in the poorest corners? Did corruption ever touch the first Olympics in South America?

These are unpleasant questions to consider in the midst of a celebration, but important themes that will underscore Rio's challenges post-Games.The country’s endemic corruption will still need to be dealt with, as will the growing economic woes. The city will have to live with turning this event into a positive long term for the city.

But for one night, it was fun to just take it all in. Here’s to a happy and healthy 2016.

Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro

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