With the Rio 2016 Olympics now almost open, here are some of key numbers to digest at this late hour: 

• 1 - Great Britain is the only country to have won a gold medal in every Games.
• 3 - Estonia's Leila Luik, Liina Luik and Lily Luik will start in the women's marathon and become the first triplets to compete at the Olympic Games in an individual event.
• 18 - American swimmer Michael Phelps holds the record for the most gold medals and the most medals in total (22) at the Olympics. 
• 47 - Athletics is the sport with most medal events scheduled in Rio with 47 gold medals at stake.
• 306 - A record 306 medal events will be contested at the Games. 
• 978 - The United States needs 22 more medals to become the first country to win 1,000 golds at the Olympic Games. 

I think the eight-minute timescale in the programme has been blown out of the water. Maybe we are filling for Pele to make it after all...

It's almost time to light the cauldron. 

Andy Stewart: sat through the opening ceremony, when did Andy Murray lead out team GB? The commentators said second last team before Brazil?

Count them, 12 schools of drummers. Like some sort of twist on the 12 days of Christmas. It will be Christmas soon.

There is an eight-minute section of samba now as the stadium is transformed into a colourful painting by the celebrated Brazilian artist Beatriz Milhazes, to welcome the 12 drum sections of the main Samba Schools of Rio de Janeiro.

Of course!

The Olympic anthem has been sung, the oaths are up next. We may get this torch lit this side of 04:00 BST...

Oscar Schmidt gets a massive cheer, and a terrace chant too. A hugely popular man in these parts. 

The Olympic flag is carried into place, carried by Marta Vieira (Football), Ellen Gracie (First woman appointed to the Supreme Court in Brazil), Sandra Pires Tavares (Beach volleyball), Oscar Schmidt (Basketball), Joaquim Cruz (Athletics), Rosa Celia Pimentel (Cardiologist and founder of the Pró-Criança hospital), Torben Grael (Sailing), Emanuel Rego (Beach volleyball).

The acting president of Brazil Michel Temer says a few words - and he is loudly jeered. Not the most popular man in the nation.

He declares the Games open and we have an awful lot of fireworks!

GB sailor Luke Patience was overwhelmed by GB's reception.

We are approaching seven hours of live text here. Still no flame lit...

Rachel Drinkwater: Got tears in my eyes .. For what IOC is saying about the Refugees Olympic Team go #Rio, external

OK, it's not Danny Boyle's rings of fire from 2012, but it's not too far back on the scale of impressiveness. Above the 'planted' trees from the athletes in the centre, fireworks recreate the Olympic rings. 

Image source, Getty Images

IOC president Thomas Bach: "Dear refugee athletes. You are sending a message of hope to the millions of refugees around the globe. You had to flee your homes because of violence, hunger or just because you were different. In this Olympic world we do not just tolerate diversity, we welcome you as enrichment to our unity and diversity.

"There are millions around the world who contribute in different ways to make our world a better place through sport."

More from IOC president Thomas Bach: "We are living in a world of crisis, mistrust and uncertainty. Here is our Olympic answer. The 10,000 best athletes in the world competing with each other and at the same time living peacefully together, sharing their meals and emotions.

"In this Olympic world there is one universal rule for everybody. We are all equal.

"Respect yourselves, respect each other and the values which make the Games unique. We are living in a world where selfishness is gaining ground. Certain people claim to be superior to others. In the spirit of Olympic solidarity and with the greatest respect we welcome the refugee Olympic team."

All the flags in one place

Image source, Getty Images