Before the first athlete even landed, the Rio 2016 Olympics were plagued with turmoil, scandal, protest, and the looming threat of Zika. Rio really wanted the opening ceremony to change that. It wanted a glorious spectacle that proved the city’s capability as a modern metropolis. Not having the special effects of 2008 Beijing or the star power of 2012 London, Rio celebrated the spirit of its culture through people and music. The ceremony emphasized the physical beauty of the country, scantily clad Brazilian bodies, and many styles of dancing. It took us through its native roots, colonization, and environmental challenges. The production was a beautiful reminder that the games are about human connections forged through imagination, desire, and sympathy. The ceremony’s most memorable moment was Gisele Bündchen, a Brazilian fashion model and actress, bringing the fierce to the longest catwalk ever. She owned the world as The Girl From Ipanema filled the night sky. When the Olympic torch was finally lit, a coordinated dance party erupted. Their synchronous movements screaming to the world that Rio was united, vibrant, and strong. Meredith Vieira, one of NBC’s hosts for the Olympics, observed, “This is not the party. You haven’t seen anything yet.” And, for good or ill, she was right.