Rio 2016: When is the opening ceremony and what will happen?
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When is it?
The opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympics will be held on Friday 5 August.
What time does it start?
It actually starts at around midnight BST on Saturday 6 August (8.00pm local time) due to the time difference.
How long will it last?
The question you’ll be asking during the fourteenth interpretative dance routine of the evening.
The answer? It will last for approximately four hours.
Where can I watch it?
The ceremony will be broadcasted live on BBC One, BBC Radio Five Live and online.
Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016
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The Independent’s team will also be live-blogging from the Maracana.
Who’s directing it?
Ever seen City of God?
The director of the acclaimed 2002 crime film, Fernando Meirelles, is working alongside Andrucha Waddington and Daniela Thomas, who coordinated Rio’s handover element at the 2012 closing ceremony.
What can we expect?
Gisele Bundchen will get ‘mugged’, according to dress rehearsal witnesses.
The supermodel will be accosted by an actor playing a thief, who will then be chased around the stadium by actors playing police. Do they catch him? You'll have to watch to find out.
Dame Judi Dench will read a poem, too, before the 207 competing nations (including the Refugee Olympic Athletes) take part in the Parade of Nations.
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