Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony – PHOTOS

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By Britwatch Team

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Let the Games Begin!

Saturday saw a spectular opening ceremony to kick off the Olympic Games of Rio 2016 – we’ve picked some of the best photos! Click left or right to move the slideshows.

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Sadly Brazilian football legend Pele, who was going to light the flame in the cauldron withdrew through illness – his place was taken by long distance runner Vanderlei De Lima, himself a medalist at the 2004 Games in Athens – he had been leading the race when he was attacked by a spectator and eventually finished in the Bronze medal position. He was awarded the Pierre de Coubertin medal for sportsmanship – and no doubt a worthy replacement.

 

 

Tennis stars Andy Murray (GBR), Rafael Nadal (ESP), Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)  and Gilles Muller (LUX) carried the flags for their nations, with swimmer Michael Phelps doing the honours for the USA.

 

Celebrating the country’s indigenous beginnings to its message of sustainability it was a spectacle to start the proceedings in style

Olympic coverage in the UK is on BBC1 and BBC4 and Sky subscribers have channels 472-479 (HD) and 480-487 (Standard Definition).