When the clock struck midnight on Copacabana Beach, Brazilian New Year’s organizers played the famous “Olympic Fanfare” music as a 16-minute firework display lit up Rio de Janeiro on Friday.
That was the most obvious tribute to the Games during Rio’s celebration, in front of a reported two million people, of a new year that will see the first Olympics in South America in August.
There were reported plans to use giant Olympic rings just offshore during the show, but those were scrapped for a later date, according to insidethegames.
The complete 16-minute firework display can be viewed here.
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2 million people welcomed 2016 yesterday at Copacabana beach. Olympic year is here! 217 days to go! #roadtorio 🎉🎉 pic.twitter.com/BgJItgYmEX
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) January 1, 2016