Olympic torch is lit in Rio

Parade of nations introduces athletes to world

 

Brazilian bronze medalist Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima lit the cauldron to officially open the Rio Olympic games Friday night.

Brazil's Interim President was booed as he spoke to help open the games, The Associated Press reported.

Michel Temer spoke for only a few seconds. A short blast of fireworks followed his remarks.

Temer took over following the suspension in May of President Dilma Rousseff on impeachment charges. Rousseff was not at the opening ceremony, the AP said.

Before the torch lighting, the parade of nations introduced the athletes to the world.

The United States was announced earlier than in some other games because the local language -- Portuguese -- is used to alphabetize the countries, the AP reported.

The ceremony also featured a tribute to Brazil’s national tree, the Pau-Brasil tree, the AP said. The tree has been on the list of the threatened Brazilian plants. It’s illegal to cut the trees that remain.