What is the meaning of the colour green? It is the colour of springtime, of fresh grasses and unripe fruits. Did you know that in nature, green pigments indicate chlorophyll, the chemical of photosynthesis, by which plants turn sunlight into fuel? Fittingly green is the colour of environmental activists worldwide. It stands for ‘go’ when you’re stuck at traffic lights or other…
After hours of intense and occasionally preposterous speculation, in the end it was neither Pelé nor Bebeto, Gustavo Kuerten, Marta, or hoops star Hortência who got to light the Olympic cauldron. The latter three all took part in the Rio 2016 opening ceremony, but the final task instead fell to Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima. As the average Brazilian struggles in the face…
Brazil has enjoyed success both on and in the water at past Olympics. With six gold, three silver, and eight bronze, sailing has been their most successful Olympic event, while with one gold, four silver, and eight bronze, swimming is not far behind in terms of the haul of medals. But Rio 2016 is a home Olympics, and quite naturally Brazil…
When Brazilian football legend Pelé declined to light the Olympic cauldron at Friday’s opening ceremony in Rio, citing ill health after muscle pains and hip surgery earlier in the year, Brazilian officials found themselves in a tight spot. The lighting of the cauldron is a defining moment for any Olympics, with the task previously falling to such icons as Cathy…
