Image source, Getty Images

So, how many shiny medals will British athletes bring home in a little over two weeks?

Well, the bosses at Team GB Towers have set a target of at least 48.

But sports statistics company Infostrada have predicted GB will pick up 51 - 18 gold, 16 silver and 17 bronze.

That puts Britain third on their hypothetical medal table, with the USA top on 88 (38 gold, 23 silver, 27 bronze) and China second on 71 (29, 36, 16).

Below Britain are Germany in fourth (51 medals) and Australia in fifth (41 medals).

For now...

A lot of you have made the point that Pele is not an Olympian, but he's undoubtedly the biggest sporting star to come from Brazil. 

Michael Johnson
Four-time Olympic gold medallist athlete on BBC One

The torch carrying role is a big deal and every opening ceremony has taken pride in keeping who it will be a secret. Pele will be an obvious choice, someone revered around the world.

The rumours are that it could be Gustavo Kuerten? He has some big shoes to fill. Racing driver Emmerson Fitipaldi would have been a better choice.

Sir Steve Redgrave
Five-time Olympic rowing champion on BBC One

It's quite amazing if it won't be Pele lighting the cauldron. It will be interesting too see who it might be.

The chat in Rio is still that Pele will not light the cauldron tonight...

Financial planning from Roger. That is genius.

The only problem is that I don't have £3 to start me off.

The BBC's Kieran Fox is with Team GB at their base in Belo. Here's a few of the team's backroom staff - the hidden grafters.

Clare Balding
BBC Olympics presenter

The time has come for Rio to welcome the world and show itself off. Over 10,000 athletes strive, in the Olympic spirit, to go faster, higher, stronger...

We are back on BBC One. Watch at the top of the screen...

Image source, Getty Images

The crowds are building up in the Maracana...

Alistair Magowan
BBC Sport in Rio

Image source, BBC Sport

As we edge toward the moment when the Olympic flame is lit, cast your mind back four years ago when London 2012 organisers kept us all guessing.   

First David Beckham sped along the Thames, all James Bond-like, before handing over to Sir Steve Redgrave, a five-time gold medalist. Alas, Sir Steve then passed the flame over to seven young athletes, who eventually had the privilege of officially opening the Games. 

But in a Facebook Live, external earlier on today, Sir Steve reveals what really happened that night, and how it crossed his mind to beat the youngsters to the flame instead. The rascal. 

Watch from 15 minutes onwards, or two minutes from the end, and he will fill in the details. There is plenty of other insight including his tips for rowing gold in Rio and how he always fancied playing in an Olympic basketball team.  

We are mere minutes of a Question of Sport Christmas special away from a return to BBC One's coverage.

And under half an hour now until the start of the ceremony itself. 

Dan Roan
BBC Sports editor in Rio

It's been quite the few years for sport in Brazil. Legacy?

Those are pretty fancy schmancy surroundings for British hockey player Ben Hawes.

The Team GB Olympics HQ bosses have stuck Eastenders on the giant telly - there's nothing more British than that.

This is what we want...

South Africa's Caster Semenya will not run in the 400m at the Rio Olympics to focus on winning gold in the 800m.

There had been a suggestion she would attempt the double in Rio after winning the 400m, 800m and 1500m on the same day at the South African trials.

Semenya, 25, is unbeaten over 800m this season and posted a world leading time of one minute 53.33 seconds at July's Diamond League meeting in Monaco.

She was subject to gender testing after winning world 800m gold in 2009.