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
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
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...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
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 road race: First update in from the roads and it's a one-woman breakaway. It's a courageously bold move from Belgium's Lotte Kopecky, as she broke at the front of the peloton only to see no one go with her. She's built up a two minute gap, but with no wind buffer or anyone to share the work load, you'd back the peloton the reel her in.
Men's Swimming: As we head into the early hours of Monday morning, all British eyes will be on Adam Peaty, as the world record holder goes for gold - and Team GB's first medal of the Rio Games - in the 100m breaststroke final at 02:53 BST.
Men's Tennis: There was controversy out on Centre Court earlier today when Germany's Dustin Brown was regularly booed during his first round match with Brazil's Thomaz Belluci - even when he suffered a badly twisted ankle. Matt Gatward was courtside as the pantomine atmosphere turned sour, and he asks: did they go one step too far?
Men's Tennis: Speaking of Tomaz Belluci, he's back on Centre Court with his Brazilian compatriot Andre Sa as they take on Team GB's dynamic duo of Andy and Jamie Murray. The scores are currently locked at 3-3 in the opening set in what is proving a high-energy encounter.
This stunning image, by AFP's Andrej Isakovic, sums up a lot of what has been said about these Games so far.
Bravo.
Table tennis: Paul Drinkhall faces Beluras' former world silver medallist in the last 16 Vladimir Samsonov in the sternist test of his Olympic credentials. That match is later tonight at 01:30 BST.
Synchro diving: Bronze for Tom and Dan! They've done it at the very death.. It was oh so tense as Daley and Goodfellow awaited the scores but the Team GB pair are in third place on 444.45, above the Germans on 438.42. China gets the gold (496.98) and the United States seal silver (547.11).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments