(ANS – Resende) – 19 June 2026 will forever be etched in the history of the Salesian Institute of Resende. To kick off the celebrations for the school’s 50th anniversary, the opening ceremony of the 40th edition of the Salesian Olympics took place. This year’s theme was: “Towards Gold: 50 years of dreams and successes”. With a theme inspired by the World Cup, the show featured all year groups in memorable performances. Families also took part in this wonderful occasion, receiving a standing ovation from the entire community. At the end of the presentations and as the highlight of the evening – the moment everyone had been waiting for – the third-year sixth-form students led the flag procession, administered the oath and lit the Olympic torch. This ceremony represents the fulfilment of a dream nurtured since early childhood. At the end of the ceremony, the athlete Ingrid Belfort lit the Olympic flame, whilst the students Ana Clara Zikan de Albuquerque and Lívia Bonfim Naves took the solemn Olympic oath. In addition to the traditional opening of the Games, the evening also marked the official opening of the jubilee celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Salesian Institute of Resende. To make the event even more prestigious, the Salesian house had the honour of hosting Resende’s Secretary for Sport, Emerson Pacheco; the Secretary for Culture, Professor Wilson; and the Under-Secretary for Health of Itatiaia, Dr Diogo Balieiro, a proud Past Pupil of the school. And so began a week brimming with life, dedicated to promoting sport and carrying on Don Bosco’s dream.
Brazil – The opening of the 40th Resende Olympics
