Olimpiada Rio 2016

Opinion: No More Stiff Upper Lips: The New Olympic Spectators Wear Their Hearts on Their Sleeve

The Olympics won't change Brazil; but Brazil might have changed the Olympics. At least, it might where spectators, and their behaviour, are concerned.

Latin Americans are well-known for their passionate patriotism, their sensibility when it comes to watching sporting events. Indeed, Brazil showed the world what sport meant to the country at the 2014 World Cup.

However, as a general rule, Olympic spectators tend to contain their excitement. Thanks to Rio 2016, this might be about to change.

Cheering and booing; a deafening welcome for the most impressive teams; motivational shout-outs for the underdogs. This Olympics we're seeing spectators come out of their shells.

We have heard war cries ("woahhhh, you're going down") in the boxing ring. Foreign sportsmen and journalists are finding the whole new attitude surprising and a little bizarre.

Competitor Felipe Wu, the first Brazilian to win a medal (silver) this Olympics, was in ecstasy. He thought that spectators did not make much difference in air pistol shooting competition. Now he has changed his mind: the crowd gave him energy he never knew he had.

In European fencing competitions the audience is sober and well-behaved. In Brazil, there was a ruckus. The Brazilian team might not have brought home medals, but they brought home the hearts of the crowds. The sport also became a quick favourite among spectators, because the simplicity of the rules meant it was easy to follow.

Novak Djokovic, the biggest tennis star in the world these days, went out in the Olympic tennis tournament to the Argentine, Del Potro. The court, needless to say, was packed full of Del Potro's co-patriots.

The old Argentine-Brazil football rivalry was obvious even in the tennis arena, as many Brazilian's egged on the Serbian for the win. Anything rather than see their old nemesis Argentina heading for victory.

At the end of the day, fans have freedom in their fandom. They just need to know their limits. And it seems at Rio 2016, there is still a long way to go before we reach them.

Translated by GILLIAN SOPHIE HARRIS

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