Like the ‘Brazilian time’ that most of Rio employs when it comes to deadlines, Brazil’s success stories at the Olympic Games took their sweet time getting here. But, when they did, they were well worth the wait.
Rafaela Silva started it a while back, when she won the first home gold in the women’s judo. It was announced with a huge ‘Stop Press’ style gusto in the media centre, on radio stations, on television, and anywhere else they could put it.
But a week in the Olympics is a lifetime, and so Thiago Braz da Silva’s pole-vault victory felt like another first. The crowd booed his opposition away, and carried Silva beyond 6 metres, an Olympic record to go with a night to never, ever forget.
Yesterday, in the women’s 49er FX sailing pairs, Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze sparked wild celebrations on Guanabara Bay, as they snuck in just ahead of the Kiwi pair jostling for the gold medal.
Contrary to the huge levels of paranoia about the water, they both duly jumped into the infamous Gaunabara Bay, soaking in another magical moment for the hosts. It was Thursday afternoon, but it may as well have been a public holiday, as thousands lined the shore, and shouted Brasil,Brasil, Brasil!, in honour of the duo.
Every single medal matters for the hosts, because it lifts the decibel count just a little higher each time. But, the medal they truly want is still to be confirmed.
Tonight, at the Maracana Stadium, Brazil’s men’s football team, the men handed the responsibility of bringing honour back to the symbol of a nation, meet Germany in the mens final. It is a massive match, a huge responsibility, but also the dream that has kept the Olympic flame burning across Brazil.
The football started slowly, but it has found its momentum now. The rampant 6-0 drubbing of poor Honduras has lifted the mood around the team even more now. Fans held a vigil outside the team hotel, just to catch a glimpse of Neymar Jr, and wish them well on their way to immortality tonight.
The one snag is that a German team with nothing to lose stands in their way, and would love nothing more than to break Brazilian hearts once more. Though it is under-23 football, it is still Brazil against Germany, and a first meeting since that wicked night at the World Cup, little more than two years ago.
On that night, the Brazilian flag was at half mast, if not completely floored from its pole. A nation wept in dismay, as Germany out seven shades of shame upon them, on their turf, in front of their own people.
The Olympic title is the only one missing from Brazil’s burgeoning chest of glory. It is the only one missing, which is why Neymar missed the Copa America, to ensure that he was fit and firing for this mission.
Finally, they have their shot, and woe betide if they do not take it. They will never, ever have a better chance to do it. And, if they somehow contrive to lose, a nation may never, ever forgive them for it. The sheen on all the other gold medals that Brazil has won in the Olympics may lose a bit of the sparkle. Incredibly, it really is that serious.
Brazil have the opportunity to let their people forever look back on the Olympic Games with a smile. They are 90 minutes away from redemption. - Independent Media