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As Brazilian carnival dancers invaded the stage in the final section of the Olympic closing ceremony to symbolise the handover from London 2012 to Rio 2016, there were fears that the stunning display would have to be toned down over concerns about the dancers’ revealing outfits. Officials were worried that the performers in the Rio carnival-themed section were too skimpily dressed, the Daily Mail reported. At one stage they asked the dancers to ‘tone down’ their outfits for fear they might offend the family audience. The Brazilian choreographers are thought to have protested, insisting the dancers’ outfits were an accurate portrayal of traditional carnival clothes. The colourful segment which closed the ceremony - featuring supermodel Allesandra Ambrosio and popstar Marisa Monte - was based on the Brazilian concept of the ‘Carioca’ embrace. ‘Carioca’ is the name given to a person from Rio, and the Carioca embrace- a traditional greeting in the city- was used to symbolise the warm welcome with which Rio wants to greet the rest of the world in 2016. The segment began with a street cleaner called Renato Sorriso - who became an internet hit after a video of him performing an impromptu routine during a carnival in Brazil in 2009 was recorded and uploaded to YouTube - practising his samba steps. A security guard attempted to remove him, but was disarmed by a Carioca embrace of friendship. Moments later a colourful parade of dancers- representing the world famous annual Carnival held in the city - exploded onto the stage. Rio 2016 will be the first ever Olympic games hosted by a South American country. According to organisers, the handover was intended to celebrate Rio ’s ‘contagious mix of cultures.’

Scantily clad dancers at Olympic ceremony raise nudity concern