This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6898137.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Pan American Games open in Brazil | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The Pan American Games have opened with a colourful ceremony in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. | The Pan American Games have opened with a colourful ceremony in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. |
Thousands of people watched a spectacular fireworks display as well as performances by hundreds of dancers and musicians. | Thousands of people watched a spectacular fireworks display as well as performances by hundreds of dancers and musicians. |
The competition will involve more than 5,000 athletes from 42 countries. | The competition will involve more than 5,000 athletes from 42 countries. |
Around 20,000 police officers will be on duty to ensure that the Games run smoothly, amid concern about the level of violence and crime in Rio. | Around 20,000 police officers will be on duty to ensure that the Games run smoothly, amid concern about the level of violence and crime in Rio. |
The official opening of the games was heralded by the arrival of the Pan American torch and a parade of the more than 5,000 athletes from across the Americas. | The official opening of the games was heralded by the arrival of the Pan American torch and a parade of the more than 5,000 athletes from across the Americas. |
However the tight security meant that many fans could not get to the stadium in time. | However the tight security meant that many fans could not get to the stadium in time. |
Brazil has not hosted an event of this size since the 1950 World Cup. | Brazil has not hosted an event of this size since the 1950 World Cup. |
That was one of the country's greatest moments of sporting anguish, when the Brazilian team lost to underdogs Uruguay in the final. | That was one of the country's greatest moments of sporting anguish, when the Brazilian team lost to underdogs Uruguay in the final. |
Rio is hoping for better memories from this event, which is being staged in the refurbished Maracana Stadium. | Rio is hoping for better memories from this event, which is being staged in the refurbished Maracana Stadium. |
Police crackdown | Police crackdown |
It is thought up to $2bn (£1bn) have been invested to make the Games a success, several times more than was first planned. | It is thought up to $2bn (£1bn) have been invested to make the Games a success, several times more than was first planned. |
Colour and controversy | |
The authorities here hope if all goes well, it will boost their chances of securing the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. | The authorities here hope if all goes well, it will boost their chances of securing the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. |
But this has its sceptics even within Brazil, says the BBC's Gary Duffy in Rio. | But this has its sceptics even within Brazil, says the BBC's Gary Duffy in Rio. |
There were reports of a last-minute rush to complete work, but most venues now seem to be ready. | There were reports of a last-minute rush to complete work, but most venues now seem to be ready. |
Security will also be a concern here, amid high levels of crime and violence in Rio, our correspondent says. | Security will also be a concern here, amid high levels of crime and violence in Rio, our correspondent says. |
The latest casualty was a 16-year-old boy, killed by a stray bullet in a suburb of the city as he prepared breakfast in his own home. | The latest casualty was a 16-year-old boy, killed by a stray bullet in a suburb of the city as he prepared breakfast in his own home. |
The deployment of 20,000 police officers is aimed at ensuring that everything runs smoothly. | The deployment of 20,000 police officers is aimed at ensuring that everything runs smoothly. |
But some recent high-profile operations meant to target drug dealers in the city's favelas, or shanty towns, have been criticised by human rights organisations. | But some recent high-profile operations meant to target drug dealers in the city's favelas, or shanty towns, have been criticised by human rights organisations. |
In one day alone, 19 people died. | In one day alone, 19 people died. |
But the authorities deny any link between the recent escalation in police action and the Games. | But the authorities deny any link between the recent escalation in police action and the Games. |
The Pan-American Games are due to run to the end of July, with the athletes competing in almost 40 different sports. | The Pan-American Games are due to run to the end of July, with the athletes competing in almost 40 different sports. |