Summer 31th Olympic Games started at “Maracana” stadium, 60 000 spectators. Georgia was #3 seed among 207 country delegation. Judoka Avtandil Chrikishvili was our standard-bearer, who is the world’s leader in 81 kg weight category and one of the main favorites of the Olympics.

Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Tariel Khechikashvili and President of Georgian national Olympic Committee Leri Khabelov attended the opening ceremony.

“I congratulate everyone with the launch of the Summer Olympic Games. Today, the entire world’s attention is attracted to Rio de Janeiro. The Georgian Olympic team participates with the record number of athletes, which is the result of joint efforts. Hopefully, the Georgian fans will be able to enjoy the victory,” – said Tariel Khechikashvili.

The opening ceremony lasted for 3 hours. The main thing was the traditional parade of the countries.

Before lighting the Olympic flame, the President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach and the chairman of Organizing Committee of Rio 2016 Karlos Nuzman harangued to the fans. Brazilian Vanderlei de Lima lit the Olympic flame.

In judo, Amiran Papinashvili will wrestle on behalf of Georgia. Today, shooters Nino Salukvadze and Tsotne Machavariani, swimmer Irakli Revishvili and tennis player Nikoloz Basilashvili will be involved in the competition.

Papinashvili will face Canadian Sergio Pessoa. Irakli Revishvili will participate in 400m freestyle swimming. Basilashvili will compete with Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas.

Otar Maglakelidze, special correspondent of worldsport.ge in Rio de Janeiro