Olympics Kids walk with athletes in Games’ Opening Ceremony

From Caribbean Business

SAN JUAN – Nearly 100 kids from around the world participated in an opening ceremony at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The McDonald’s Olympics Kids walked in the Parade of Nations at Rio’s Maracanã Stadium in front of 80,000 spectators and billions of television viewers worldwide.

McDonald’s says its Olympics Kids from 20 countries “represent friendship and unity for children worldwide.” The flag bearer of each of the 207 country athlete delegations was accompanied by an 8- to 12-year-old.

Valerie N. Mojica Rivera, from Corozal, Puerto Rico, was one of them, parading cheerfully along with the Puerto Rican delegation.

“I cannot explain the emotion I felt when I entered the stadium and saw all those people cheering and eager to see the ceremony. It was a unique experience. I will never forget my time in Rio and my walk with our athletes. I’m living a moment,” she said.

In previous days, the kids were taken to the beach, saw the the statue of Christ the Redeemer, practiced the act for the opening ceremony and met Ronald McDonald.

In the coming days, they will take part in sports clinics in one of the Olympic facilities, next to the athletes, and attend some of the Olympic events.

IMAGES:

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 05: McDonald’s – Opening Ceremony on August 5, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Valerie N. Mojica Rivera (Francois Nel/Getty Images)

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 05: Flag bearer Jaime Yusept Espinal of Puerto Rico leads his Olympic Team during the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium on August 5, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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