Here’s what we observed at the Rio Olympics Opening Ceremonies

The Parade of (207) Nations is finally over, and here’s what we deduced:

▪ Smallest delegations: Nine nations have a total of two athletes participating (Bhutan, Chad, Dominica, Equitorial Guinea, Uberia, Mauritania, Nauru, Somalia and Swaziland), and the tiniest delegation is Tuvalu, with just one athlete — sprinter Etimoni Timuani.

▪ Largest delegations: United States (555), Brazil (462), China (416), Germany (371), France (369), Great Britain (331) and Japan (326).

 

United States delegation. AP

▪ Loudest cheers: For Portugal (in ripped jeans), France, United States, Mexico, Israel, Palestine, the Refugee Olympic Team and Brazil.

 

Portugal delegation. AP

▪ Loudest boo: For interim Brazilian President Michel Temer when he declared the Rio Games open.

 

Brazilian President Michel Temer AP

▪ Most memorable costumes: Sweden (bright yellow), Canada (stylish by designer Dsquared2), Mozambique (nice plaid), Namibia (colorful stripes), Cuba (by French shoe designer Christian Louboutin), Peru (nice scarves), Papua New Guinea and Malaysia (classy), Aruba and Lesotho (best hats), United States (preppy with illuminated USA jacket on flagbearer Michael Phelps — powered by eight AA batteries). And, Tonga, whose flag bearer, taekwondo athlete Pita Taufatofua, went shirtless in traditional costume and was slathered in body oil.

 

Cuba delegation. AP

This story was originally published August 5, 2016 at 11:57 PM with the headline "Here’s what we observed at the Rio Olympics Opening Ceremonies."