Organizers of the Rio 2016 Olympics are determined to make their own unique mark on the traditional rituals of the Olympic Games’ Opening and Closing ceremonies. As reported by “O Globo”, departing from the conventional location of the track and field stadium, Rio will host the said ceremonies for Rio in its soccer venue, the Maracana stadium.
This bold plan may necessitate the need for two separate Olympic flame cauldrons, something which the Summer edition of the Games has not been seen since the symbol’s inception back in 1928 in Amsterdam. In most past Olympics, cauldrons were atop the track and field stadiums, rendering them visible by spectators and athletes outside of the venue. Seeing how the track and field stadiums in all other Summer Olympics has been home of the flame’s pyre, there is talk of the possibility of Rio actually having two flaming cauldrons – one in the Maracena stadium and then another at the track and field venue.
Though no decision has yet been made, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach indicated in the article that he is “in favor of a solution where people can see that the Olympic flame is in the city and that allows them to feel the Olympic spirit.”
Full comments from Rio organizers and the IOC president can be seen here.