Rio 2016 opens with vibrant ceremony

The 2016 Olympics have been formally opened with a colourful and pulsating ceremony at Rio’s Maracana stadium.

Broadcast to an estimated audience of three billion, it celebrated Brazil’s history, culture and natural beauty, before former marathon runner Vanderlei de Lima lit the Olympic cauldron.

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray led the Great Britain team into the arena.

The build-up to Rio 2016 has been played out against a deep recession and political protests in Brazil.

The Games, the first to be held in South America, have also been disrupted by concerns over the Russian doping scandal, the Zika virus and problems with the city’s security, infrastructure and venues.

But organisers will hope the focus can now shift to the action in 28 sports, with 207 teams, after the Games of the 31st Olympiad were officially opened.

The cauldron was lit by De Lima, who won bronze for Brazil in the marathon at the 2004 Games after he wasgrappled by a spectator while leading the race.

Football legend Pele had ruled himself out of performing the role saying he was not in the right “physical condition”.

Coverage of Saturday’s action begins on BBC One at 12:10 BST and across the BBC Sport website.

• Day-by-day guide to what’s on
• Rio 2016 on the BBC
• GB’s top 12 gold medal tips

What happened?

With Brazil’s economy struggling, the budget for the opening ceremony was thought to be considerably less than the £30m spent at London 2012.

And while Rio’s event did not match the enormous ambition of the ceremony directed by Danny Boyle four years ago, those inside the Maracana were treated to a show that mixed light displays, fireworks, dancing and music.

After an emotional rendition of the Brazilian national anthem, sung and played on acoustic guitar by singer-songwriter Paulinho da Viola, video projections beamed on to the floor of the stadium explored the history of the country.

Starting with images of micro-organisms dividing – representing the beginning of life – the ceremony highlighted the contributions made by the nation’s indigenous peoples, by Portuguese explorers, by African slaves and by Japanese immigrants to Brazil’s history and culture.

Performers jumped and danced across projections of giant buildings, symbolising the cities of Brazil, while a recreation of a 14-bis biplane – the invention of Brazilian Alberto Santos-Dumont – drew one of the biggest cheers of the evening as it flew out of the arena.

And the 207 teams?

Two-time Wimbledon champion and 2012 gold medallist Murray said carrying the British flag into the Maracana would be the proudest moment of his career.

The 29-year-old was followed by around 70 of Team GB’s 366 athletes, with many remaining in the training base in Belo.

The Russian team, cut down to 271 athletes from an initial 389 following accusations of state-sponsored doping in the country, were at least spared any obvious negative reaction from the crowd.

One of the warmest welcomes of the evening was given to a team consisting of refugee athletes. They were the penultimate group to enter the stadium.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said the team were sending “a message of hope to the millions of refugees around the globe”.

The local crowd of 60,000 exploded with noise when the Brazil team, with 2012 modern pentathlon bronze medallist Yane Marques flying the nation’s flag, emerged into the stadium last of all, to chants of “Brazil, Brazil, Brazil”.

• Thousands of protesters lined the boulevard alongside Copacabana beach, calling for the removal of interim president Michel Temer.
• There were smaller demonstrations nearer the Maracana, with about 200 protesters marching from the Saens Pena square in Tijuca to the stadium.
• Heavy security was in force around the Olympic Park during the ceremony, with army troops positioned every 25 metres.
• An unnamed Greek athlete was expelled after failing a drugs test.
• Police cordoned off a large area around the Beach Volleyball Arena in Copacabana and deployed robotic bomb detection devices. What appeared to be a black bag and a red rucksack were investigated.

Who said what?

IOC president Bach talked positively about the Games, despite organisational problems in the build-up.

“All Brazilians can be very proud tonight,” he said. “With the Olympic Games as a catalyst, you have achieved in only seven years what generations before you could only dream of.

“You have transformed Rio de Janiero into a modern metropolis and made it even more beautiful. You managed this at a very difficult time in Brazilian history. We have always believed in you.”

Rio 2016 president Carlos Nuzman said he was “the proudest man alive”, adding: “I am proud of my city, proud of my country. Let’s celebrate together as we work together to build the Games.”

But Brazil’s interim president, Michel Temer was booed by some as he declared the Games open – a reminder of the country’s deep political crisis.

GB highlights on Saturday?

• Chris Froome in the cycling road race at 13:30 BST
• Ashley McKenzie in men’s -60kg judo from 14:00 BST
• GB men’s hockey team v Belgium in pool match at 16:30 BST
• James Guy and Stephen Milne in men’s 400m freestyle swimming, with the heats at 17:46 BST and the final at 02:30 BST (Sunday morning)
• Max Litchfield in the men’s 400m individual medley heats at 18:30 BST, with the final at 02:03 BST (Sunday morning)
• Hannah Miley and Aimee Willmott in the women’s 400m individual medley heats at 18:30 BST, with the final at 02:49 BST (Sunday morning)
• GB women v Japan in rugby sevens pool match at 21:00 BST
• Heather Watson and Kyle Edmund in tennis first-round action from 16:30 BST, as well GB in men’s and women’s doubles

Team GB’s men’s cyclists will hope to claim Britain’s first medal of the Games when they compete in the road race, which starts at 13:30 BST next to Copacabana beach and will take in numerous climbs along its 237.5km route.

Froome, who won the third Tour de France title last month, is expected to be GB’s medal hope, although the London 2012 time trial bronze medallist has said team-mate Steve Cummings is capable of winning the event.

THE ROTTEN FISH: CAN OF WORMS OPENED OF APC & TINUBU'S GOVERNMENT OVER NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

Watch this episode of ISSUES IN THE NEWS on 9News Nigeria featuring Peter Obi's Special Adviser, Dr Katch Ononuju, 9News Nigeria Publisher, Obinna Ejianya and Tinubu Support Group Leader, McHezekiah Eherechi

The economic crisis and hardship in Nigeria are parts of the discussion.

Watch, leave your comments, and share to create more awareness on this issue.