Rio 2016 opening ceremony as it happened: Brazil make carnival from chaos in front of the world
Relive the ceremony as millions around tuned in to watch the opening ceremony in Rio
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Your support makes all the difference.Welcome to The Independent's coverage of Rio 2016 as the sport finally takes over from the simmering political and social unrest to have blighted the organisation of the Olympics this summer.
- Can the carnival overcome the chaos?
- Everything you need to know about Rio 2016 on TV
- Best and bizarre things to look for at opening ceremony
- Now the games have begun, it's time to see the best of Rio
- Pele to miss opening ceremony due to ill health
- Team GB swimming kit 'goes missing'
- Moroccan boxer arrested for rape on eve of Rio
Follow the latest from Rio below...
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The Maracana Stadium hosts the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympic Games as Brazil looks to put the doom and gloom of the past few weeks behind it and raise the curtain on what will be 17 days of the best the South American nation has to offer. But what will it offer?
Any Olympic ceremony often indicates what is to come over the ensuing fortnight of action, with London’s grand opening a sign of things to come as the capital staged a memorable Olympic Games.
While the build-up to Rio has been blighted by fears over the Zika virus, concerns over health and safety and shock at the extreme poverty that the less fortunate experience in Rio de Janeiro, Friday signals a chance to put that all to one side and showcase the city in its finest light.
We already know that the ceremony will not be as flash as London, or even on the same scale as 2012, given that the money spent on it is around a tenth of the £27m spent four years ago.
Film director Fernando Meirelles, famous for his City of God, will coordinate the opening ceremony and explained that he could not justify spending a similar amount to the London showcase given the level of poverty in his home country. But while the ceremony is set to show the best of Brazil, there could be a few bizarre stop-offs along the way.
Women's Keirin: And it's silver for Becky James! It's finally confirmed that Britain's James came in at second. What a final lap from her - and it needed to be. Netherland's Elis Little takes gold.
↵Elsewhere, Justin Rose has been making a creditable bid for the gold medal in the Olympic golf. See what Kevin Garside had to say...
Men's Long Jump: Yet another turn in events as Jeff Henderson jumps 8.38m! He's beaten the South African by the smallest of margins to take first place. Rutherford will have to produce the jump of his life for that top spot on the podium...
Men's Long Jump: It's 8.29m. No gold for Rutherford but he's currently in bronze position...
Men's Long Jump: Lawson's left hand appears to have dragged in the sand as he's awarded 7.78m. The American is outraged and makes his way over to the officials to complain but it's good news for Rutherford who currently stands in bronze if the decision stands.
Right, we're minutes away from what should be a thrilling conclusion to the women's heptathlon. Can Jessica Ennis-Hill find the strength to take this 800m by storm and claim that gold medal?
Golf: With the winner of the Olympic gold in the men's golf competition getting automatic entry to all four major tournaments in 2017, the stakes are even higher in Rio. Justin Rose leads at present.
Men's Gymnastics: The crowd goes wild as their very own Arthur Mariano finishes his routine on the floor. He pumps the air with delight as he finishes his performance before being awarded 15.433 moments later. The Brazilian moves into third to take the bronze medal as it stands.
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