Summary
Former marathon runner Vanderlei de Lima lights the Olympic cauldron
207 teams parade at the Maracana Stadium
Andy Murray carries GB flag
New refugee team given great reception
Russia receive mixed reception
Highlights of a spectacular showpublished at 04:08 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
Checking outpublished at 04:06 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
Well, that was a long old night for us back in the UK. We hope you enjoyed that, and later on Saturday the real stuff begins.
Bring on the live sport!
I shall see you then. Good night/good morning one and all...
Get involvedpublished at 04:04 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
#bbcrio2016
Alex Haworth: Thought that was a good opening ceremony to be honest. Way better than London 2012 in my opinion.
Ali Clarke: Superbly hypnotically beautiful sculpture surrounding the #OlympicFlame, external#Brazil, external#Rio2016, external Good luck & well played.
'You don't have to spend'published at 04:02 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
Michael Johnson
Four-time Olympic gold medallist athlete on BBC OneThe opening ceremony truly reflected the culture of Brazil and Rio. There was focus on environment and sustainability but it was full of passion.
People like sport and enjoy life here. Coming from America, we are exactly the opposite which is work, work, work.
It was reflected beautifully in a simple way. They didn't spend as much money as Beijing or London and it proves you don't have to spend to make something spectacular.
The Olympic flamepublished at 04:00 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
Image source, PAIt's a beautiful thing.
Postpublished at 04:00 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
'A passion for living'published at 04:00 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
Michael Johnson
Four-time Olympic gold medallist athlete on BBC OneThe opening ceremony truly reflected the very culture of Brazil. It was very simple but passionate. The people of Brazil have a passion for living!
The flame speaks outpublished at 03:58 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
Shiny disco ballpublished at 03:57 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
Get involvedpublished at 03:57 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
#bbcrio2016
Pottiella: Olympic flame well worth the ridiculous wait the past 40mins - minimalistic, beautiful and thoughtful
Liz Carlisle: Think the budget was mostly spent on led graphics and fireworks. But my, the cauldron is stunning
Kyle Scott: Flashback to 2004 Athens Marathon right there! Wow! What a moment #Rio2016, external
BOOOM!published at 03:55 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
A massive flash of fireworks ends the night in Rio. The sculpture around the flame is really quite something.
Postpublished at 03:54 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
Remember the name?
Brazilian Vanderlei de Lima is best known for an extraordinary moment in the 2004 Olympics.
He was winning the marathon by a huge distance of some 20-30 seconds when a defrocked Irish priest Cornelius "Neil" Horan tackled him and he only won bronze.
Postpublished at 03:51 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
More fireworks, the flame is lit and the Games are officially open!
Postpublished at 03:50 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
The flame is in a cauldron of sorts, which is lifted high into the Rio sky to meet a huge sculpture by the artist Anthony Howe, representing the sun, the source of energy that the Games progamme says 'we should exploit.'
FLAME LIT!published at 03:49 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
And now it's handed on to marathon runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima - WHO LIGHTS THE FLAME!
Postpublished at 03:49 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
Gustavo Kuerten now passes the flame to a female basketball player Hortência Marcari...
Postpublished at 03:47 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
Gustavo Kuerten looks hugely emotional here. What an honour, what a moment.
Light the cauldron!published at 03:47 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
Here comes three-time French Open winner Gustavo Kuerten! He's got the Olympic flame firmly in his grasp...
Postpublished at 03:46 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
Wow!published at 03:46 British Summer Time 6 August 2016
Badminton player Gabby Adcock's beaming smile says it all.