George Bovell is in a class by himself when it comes to representation at the Olympic Games. The 33-year-old swimmer is now a five-time Olympian, an unprecedented achievement from a Trinidad and Tobago athlete.

The 2016 Rio Games are already unique. No other Games in modern history has had its build-up vexed by such a bewildering mass of political frictions, economic shocks and doping controversies. But as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad shift into delivery mode with Friday’s Opening Ceremony, there is the guarantee of something beautiful being presented to the watching world.