Samba time!

A silver lining in Rio despite pre-Games gloom and doom

As Rio de Janeiro gears up for the opening ceremony today, a slew of problems have indeed made many question the success of the Games. But then, that’s what happens before every edition of the Games – winter or summer, rich or developing world – as a litany of complaints, criticisms and doomsday predictions play out in the news media and among foreigners and host country locals alike. But with as many as 500,000 foreign visitors descending upon Rio before show time, a familiar sense of anticipation and festivity are leading many to come to another habitual realisation: Things might actually go okay. So, let the Games begin!