RIO DE JANEIRO - Thousands of Brazilians launched angry anti-Olympics protests hours before Friday's Rio Games opening ceremony in fury at political scandals rattling the host country and the billions spent on the event. "We're not against the Olympics, it's the criminal Olympics we oppose." The protest was the latest unwelcome distraction for Brazilian authorities and Olympic organizers ahead of Friday's opening ceremony at the 78,600 capacity Maracana stadium. ", a crowd of about 3,000 blocked an avenue outside the luxury Copacabana Palace Hotel where many Olympic athletes are staying. Guests with Olympic accreditation looked down from the hotel terrace at the protest.

Source: Bangkok Post August 05, 2016 16:18 UTC