A Mexican delegation of 126 athletes will march proudly behind the national flag at the opening ceremony of the Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympic Games on Friday, August 5, at 6 p.m.
The bandera will be carried by 29-year-old Daniela Campuzano, the first mountain biker to represent Mexico at an Olympic Games. Mexico will have representation in 26 of the 28 sports included in the two-week long sporting festival, which ends on Sunday, August 21.
The most realistic chances of gold medals for the Mexican delegation, which comprises 81 men and 45 women, will come in the taekwondo, diving, walking and soccer competitions. Four years ago in London, Mexico won one gold (soccer), three silver and three bronze medals.
The United States will travel with games’ largest contingent – 555 participants – and will expect to head the medals table, probably slightly ahead of China.
Canada is also taking an impressive number of participants to Rio – 313. Other delegations with sizable numbers include Brazil (465), France (414), Australia (410), Germany (404), China (403), Great Britain (366) and Japan (330). Eleven of the 207 participating nations will be sending teams consisting of just one competitor. Among these are Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Malawi, the Marshall Islands and Kiribati.
Viewers tuning in expecting to see a high-tech opening ceremony in Rio’s landmark Maracana Stadium next Friday may be disappointed.
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