Olympics kicks off in spectacular four-hour carnival extravaganza
THE 2016 Olympics got underway in spectacular style as Rio de Janeiro welcomed the world to a carnival celebration.
Fireworks lit up the sky as the iconic Maracana stadium played host to a dazzling opening ceremony
Fireworks lit up the sky as the iconic Maracana stadium played host to a dazzling opening ceremony watched by an estimated global audience of three billion people.
Rio 2016: Olympic torch arrives at Christ the Redeemer statue
We have our best-ever chance with the most talented team ever at an away Games
These are the first Games to be staged in South America.
Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen, 36, and Oscar-winning British actress Dame Judi Dench, 81, played starring roles in the four-hour extravaganza, which featured 300 dancers among 6,000 performers.
Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench, 81, played a starring role in the four-hour extravaganza
A total of 10,500 athletes from a record 207 teams will compete in 28 Olympic sports featuring 306 events.
Britain has 366 athletes in Rio, led at the opening ceremony by Olympic tennis champion Andy Murray, 29, the Team GB flag-bearer.
Team officials are confident Britain will claim our best Olympic medal haul on foreign soil. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Team GB won a record away tally of 47 medals, including 19 golds.
Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen, 36, also had a starring role in the extravaganza
Andy Murray led the Team GB in Rio
Four years ago at the London Games, Britain scooped a record 65 medals including 29 golds.
Chef de mission Mark England said: “We have our best-ever chance with the most talented team ever at an away Games.”