Lights, colours and emotions: the Maracanã is ready to celebrate, history is made. The "five rings" give South America a special embrace for the very first time. Raise the curtain, spotlights on, flashes light up a stadium which expresses an informal solemnity that could charm anyone: Rio is transformed into a sparkling festival, the smiles of the athletes widen hearts across the world, and not only the sporting one. This is how the XXXI edition of the Summer Olympics begins. Using a striking and linear script: images of the ocean, the beach, the distinctive features of a festive land which is never banal, inspiring, reflecting the wonders of its nature while at the same time not forgetting the problems and poverty. It is the genesis, the beginning of everything: describes Brazil, the Carioca tradition that opens up to the world, Christ the Redeemer who spreads his arms upon the Earth and the continents which the Olympic movement aims to unite, crossing every barrier. It is the meaning of sport which unites, a universal language that acts as a wrecking ball and knocks down every wall. It is a 5th August to write in the record books: original floral carts that announce the entry of the 207 participating Nations onto the track. Greece is first up, symbolic and quintessential home of the Games, where the movement started.

It is a frenetic and entertaining parade of alternating kits designed to leave a mark, to win the gold medal for style. Italy, guided by the Team Head Carlo Mornati, enters at 9:52 pm local time (02:53 am in Italy) led by Federica Pellegrini, the Divine, enshrouded in a contagious enthusiasm (GMT-photo by Mezzelani).It is an incredible sign of fate that this unique and inimitable day coincides with her 28th birthday: it was written in the folds of a beautiful book, the autobiography of a champion who has enjoyed collecting World and European Championship medals as well as an Olympic gold medal in trophy cabinet, carving her way through the pool using her unmistakable trademark freestyle. Federica smiles, waving the "tricolour" as the 102nd country steps onto the track, before the eyes of the enchanted CONI president Giovanni Malagò, the Secretary General, Roberto Fabbricini, the President of the Organising Committee of Rome 2024, Luca di Montezemolo, and a special supporter who is accompanying the "Azzurri" during these hours of feverish anticipation: Prime minister Matteo Renzi.

Spontaneous applause, the elegant blue EA7 kit doesn't go unnoticed nor do the attention-grabbing red, white and green shoes. "I am proud to be the team's flag-bearer, it's a great honour. "We will give it our all", she recalls while more than 150 "azzurri" parade alongside her, reigniting the ambition which sees us as the fifth most successful nation of all time at the summer and winter Olympics. The "tricolour tide" will be involved in 20 events: rowing, badminton, boxing, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, fencing, golf, gymnastics, weightlifting, judo, swimming, diving, women's water polo and tennis teams, archery, skeet shooting, sailing, the two volleyball teams and a beach volleyball delegation. The second part of the ceremony was taken up by official speeches, the formal welcome from IOC President, Thomas Bach, the canonical oaths, the surprise of the last torchbearer, Vanderlei Lima, the marathon runner famous for being blocked by a spectator in the street, the day Baldini won gold in Athens 2004. The flame has been lit, the challenge is on. Make the Games your own.