Rio Olympics 2016 opening ceremony

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

Live Reporting

Tom Rostance

Thomas the turncoat?published at 20:45 British Summer Time 5 August 2016
Wait. Has GB cyclist Geraint Thomas jumped to the Dutch team?
[I would switch for coffee to be fair]
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'Organised chaos'published at 20:44 British Summer Time 5 August 2016
Michael Johnson
Four-time Olympic gold medallist on BBC TV
For athletes, take in everything you can, you will find it is more enjoyable that way and less stressful. You can take in the whole experience of the Olympics.
The defining image of Rio will be seen over the next few days and organisers can show they can organise this thing and for athletes to thrive on the track and in the field and for spectators to enjoy in a peaceful manner.
It is chaos organising an Olympics, it is about how you deal with it. This is a difficult time around the world and people will be on edge. Hopefully they have prepared well. Brazil have had some issues so having security in the right place and military in place, it is touch and go.
Image source, BBC Sport
There may be trouble ahead...published at 20:43 British Summer Time 5 August 2016
The build-up to these Games has not exactly been without problems of course.
A Russian doping scandal, a Zika virus and the scares that has bought, money problems, political unrest...
I'm sure we can't all wait for the sport to start in earnest.
Ninety-nine British athletes are due to compete on Saturday (99!). Including Chris Froome...
'Ready? Just about...'published at 20:39 British Summer Time 5 August 2016
Clare Balding
BBC Olympics presenter
There is the distinct smell of wet paint everywhere. The venues are ready - just about...
'My time has passed'published at 20:37 British Summer Time 5 August 2016
Sir Chris Hoy
Six time Olympic track cycling champion
I've had moments of sadness in the build-up, the fleeting realisation that your time in the sun has passed.
I carried the torch yesterday, it was amazing. Not as big crowds as we saw in London but it was fantastic. I almost took my eyebrows off!
Any tickets?published at 20:35 British Summer Time 5 August 2016
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
SPOILER ALERT: There will be fireworks
We are expecting a crowd of around 75,000 inside the Maracana Stadium tonight. Tickets have cost between £45 and £1,000.
A grand! Wow. That's face value too.
Up all nightpublished at 20:35 British Summer Time 5 August 2016
The opening ceremony is due to get under way in sunny Rio at around midnight UK time, with BBC One's coverage starting at 23:35.
What better way to start your weekend than ushering in the greatest show on earth?
Tune inpublished at 20:32 British Summer Time 5 August 2016
Good evening one and all!
Tune into BBC One right now - or watch at the top of this page - for the Rio preview show.
The eyes of the world are on you...published at 20:30
The Rio Games are here
Image source, PA
Four years ago an inherently pessimistic, cynical nation was briefly and beautifully united by a summer of sport.
We were all there.
London 2012 was - even if right up until Danny Boyle's cinematic opening ceremony you were bemoaning the transport chaos, the waste of money, the fact that you don't even like Olympic sports anyway - a triumph.
Image source, PA
A sporting triumph. A cultural triumph. It made many feel proud to be British once more.
Image source, PA
And tonight it's Rio's turn to feel the love. The first South American Olympics, the third in the southern hemisphere, the 28th summer Games overall.
Team GB are predicted to go very well. We could all be set for plenty of late, late nights.
Excited?
Then allow us to begin...
Image source, PA