Russia athletes receive lukewarm welcome during opening ceremony
Volleyballer Sergey Tetyukhin led Russia as flag-bearer
By Nick Murray, CBC Sports
Russia's athletes received a mixed welcome to the Summer Olympics in Rio, being generally cheered as they entered the Maracana Stadium during Saturday's opening ceremony.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RUS?src=hash">#RUS</a> enters the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpeningCeremony?src=hash">#OpeningCeremony</a> to a mixed reaction from the crowd. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rio2016?src=hash">#Rio2016</a> <a href="https://t.co/JAoL0ve2RK">https://t.co/JAoL0ve2RK</a> <a href="https://t.co/69H1frxFs7">https://t.co/69H1frxFs7</a>
—@CBCOlympicsJournalists on the ground in Rio, however, tweeted mixed reports.
Russia enters the Maracana Stadium to a mixed reaction. Boos not loud enough to drain some applause. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rio2016?src=hash">#Rio2016</a> <a href="https://t.co/SNh1cFusYF">pic.twitter.com/SNh1cFusYF</a>
—@ChrisChavezSIMixed reaction as Russian team enters the stadium <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rio2016?src=hash">#Rio2016</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpeningCeremony?src=hash">#OpeningCeremony</a>
—@GregoryStrongCPWow. Russian team -- in midst of massive doping scandal -- gets a big cheer walking into Maracana Stadium.
—@LATimesWhartonSizable ovation for Russia. I'd put it below Italy, but above Peru.
—@TJQuinnESPNRussia gets jeered as it walks in, but a few Russian journalists stand and applaud their countrymen.
—@StacyStClairMarta Kharitonova, representing Russia in the canoe slalom, told CBC's Heather Hiscox before entering the stadium that she thought the reception would be welcoming.
"I think no problem. It's okay," Kharitonova said.
Canoe slalom competitor Marta Kharitonova speaks to <a href="https://twitter.com/cbchh">@cbchh</a> about reaction to Team <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RUS?src=hash">#RUS</a> at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rio2016?src=hash">#Rio2016</a>. <a href="https://t.co/JrX5RKIuZa">https://t.co/JrX5RKIuZa</a>
—@CBCOlympicsWhile some people had hoped for a cold reception…
Only staying up to see if Russia get boo'd
—@legsidelizzy…others were happy to see the Olympic faithful take the high ground.
I'm glad they didn't boo Russia. They don't deserve that. These athletes were cleared of any drama <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpeningCeremony?src=hash">#OpeningCeremony</a>
—@sabeehaaliVolleyballer Sergey Tetyukhin led his country as Russia's flag-bearer.
Russia has 271 Olympians cleared for competition, after the International Olympic Committee banned more than 100 athletes amid doping scandals.