World’s leading athletes celebrate new year – and the Rio 2016 Games – on social media
Usain Bolt, Novak Djokovic and Neymar among those to express their excitement as Rio celebrates with huge Olympic-themed beach party
About two million people celebrated the new year on Copacabana beach (Riotur)
Rio de Janeiro welcomed in the year during which it will host the first Olympic and Paralympic Games in South America with typical Brazilian flair. About two million people partied on Copacabana beach as 24 tonnes of fireworks were set off from 11 boats in a 16-minute display that celebrated the coming of the Games and the 100-year anniversary of samba, the musical style that defines Rio.
The soundtrack had an Olympic feel, featuring versions of John Williams’s theme for the Los Angeles 1984 Games and closing with Vangelis’s epic Chariots of Fire soundtrack.
Meanwhile, the world’s top athletes – such as Novak Djokovic, Sophie Pascoe, Usain Bolt and Neymar – took to social media to celebrate the start of a year in which they will hope to etch their names into sporting history. Check out their posts below:
Rafael Nadal (tennis):
Ana Marcela Cunha (marathon swimming) wishes the world a happy Olympic year:
Pular sete ondinhas, jogar flores ao mar, fazer pedidos e desejar um mundo melhor!!! Tudo vale pra entrar no ano olímpico!! VEEM 2016!! Desejo a todos um Ano Novo repleto de conquistas e realizações
Josh George (Paralympic athletics):
It's only 250 days until the #2016 #Paralympics #RoadToRio #NYE
— Josh George (@jsgeorge) 1 Gennaio 2016
Novak Djokovic (tennis):
I was blessed in so many ways this past year and I am deeply appreciative. In the coming year, my wish is for your...
Posted by Novak Djokovic on Sexta, 1 de janeiro de 2016
Tom Daley (diving):
Leonardo de Deus (swimming):
Usain Bolt (athletics):
Happy New Year my peeps!!!!!
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) 1 Gennaio 2016
Bruno Soares (tennis):
Jaque Carvalho (volleyball):
#2016 #FelizAnoNovo #Deusémaravilhoso #Família
Posted by Jaque Carvalho on Quinta, 31 de dezembro de 2015
Sheilla Castro (volleyball):
Um 2016 dourado pra nós brasileiros!!! pic.twitter.com/QufMnlohdY
— Sheilla Castro (@sheillacastro) 1 Gennaio 2016Neymar (football):
Sophie Pascoe, nataçao Paralímpica:
Rio 2016 also got involved...
