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.
Third set Murray - one amazing shot when ball was behind him led to first break. Crowd split down the middle = bouncing atmos
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Men's Tennis: It's tears for both men as the gravity of the moment sinks in. For Del Potro, the Argentinian gave it his all but on this occasion it wasn't enough to overcome the mentally and physically resilient Andy Murray. The Scotsman has defended his 2012 title and adds a fifth gold to Team GB's medal tally on day nine.
Laura Muir has just put in a fantastic 4.04.16 minute run in the 1,500m to book herself a spot in the final. Brilliant effort from the Briton.
Men's Gymnastics: China's You Hao scores a total of 15.400, having been awarded 7 for difficulty and 8.4 for execution. Greece's Eleftherios Petrounias, and the world champion, up next.
Men's Gymnastics: Petrounias sets the benchmark! He's awarded a score of 16.000 dead. Absolutely outstanding! He'll be the man to beat.
Women's Gymnastics: America's second competitor, Lauren Hernandez, takes to the beam. It's pretty flawless - there was a slight wobble following a front somersault mid-routine - and she stands to score well. Credit to Bile who was stood on the sideline throughout cheering her fellow American on.
Women's Gymnastics: It seems the French have put an appeal in - hence the hold up.
Men's Omnium: Mark Cavendish is in action in the velodrome as he looks for gold. He's well into his flying sprint now as part of the Omnium's penultimate event. He clocks in at 12.96 secs which puts him into second place overall and currently trails 16 points behind Italy's Elia Viviani.
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