Rio 2016 opening ceremony as it happened: Brazil make carnival from chaos in front of the world

Relive the ceremony as millions around tuned in to watch the opening ceremony in Rio

(REUTERS)

Welcome to The Independent's coverage of Rio 2016 as the sport finally takes over from the simmering political and social unrest to have blighted the organisation of the Olympics this summer.

• Can the carnival overcome the chaos?
• Everything you need to know about Rio 2016 on TV
• Best and bizarre things to look for at opening ceremony
• Now the games have begun, it's time to see the best of Rio
• Pele to miss opening ceremony due to ill health
• Team GB swimming kit 'goes missing'
• Moroccan boxer arrested for rape on eve of Rio

Follow the latest from Rio below...

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The Maracana Stadium hosts the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympic Games as Brazil looks to put the doom and gloom of the past few weeks behind it and raise the curtain on what will be 17 days of the best the South American nation has to offer. But what will it offer?

Any Olympic ceremony often indicates what is to come over the ensuing fortnight of action, with London’s grand opening a sign of things to come as the capital staged a memorable Olympic Games.

While the build-up to Rio has been blighted by fears over the Zika virus, concerns over health and safety and shock at the extreme poverty that the less fortunate experience in Rio de Janeiro, Friday signals a chance to put that all to one side and showcase the city in its finest light.

We already know that the ceremony will not be as flash as London, or even on the same scale as 2012, given that the money spent on it is around a tenth of the £27m spent four years ago.

Film director Fernando Meirelles, famous for his City of God, will coordinate the opening ceremony and explained that he could not justify spending a similar amount to the London showcase given the level of poverty in his home country. But while the ceremony is set to show the best of Brazil, there could be a few bizarre stop-offs along the way.

[6 August 2016 16:32 · Jack de Menezes]

Women's rugby sevens: After a tricky first half, Team GB took advantage of a tiring Brazilian defence to score three more tries in the second half to secure a 29-3 victory. Natasha Hunt scored twice, both of which coming from quick thinking as she took a tap penalty to catch the Brazil defence sleeping, and Jasmine Joyce – the only Welshwoman in the squad – demonstrated her devastating pace to complete the scoring.

[6 August 2016 19:09 · Jack de Menezes]

Men's road race: Nibali breaks at the front and he has three riders with him - and one of them is Geraint Thomas! They've started to drop the rest of lead pack, altough Greg van Avermeet has just about clung on to make it a five-man group. Froome meanwhile has made his move and caught Adam Yates, but the pair have a minute to claw back if they want a medal.

[6 August 2016 19:20 · Jack de Menezes]

[6 August 2016 19:22 · Jack de Menezes]

Men's road race: Nibali is trying to break away at the front but Majka and Henao are sticking with him. If they work together they can guarantee themselves a medal each, and fight out what order in a sprint finish. The second chase group is being led now by Julian Alaphilippe, who rode away from Chris Froome and bridged the gap to the second group who trail the leaders by 15 seconds.

[6 August 2016 19:27 · Jack de Menezes]

Men's road race: Nibali and Henao crash! They're out of the race and Majka is out in front on his own!

[6 August 2016 19:28 · Jack de Menezes]

Men's 100m breaststroke: Not only has Adam Peaty booked his place alongside Ross Murdoch in the 100m breststroke final, he;s set a new world record in the process!

[6 August 2016 19:30 · Jack de Menezes]

Men's road race: Disaster for Team GB as Geraint Thomas crashes out of medal contention, and it looks like Britain won't be getting a medal in the men's road race. Poland's Rafal Majka leads on his own by about 20 seconds with 8km to go.

[6 August 2016 19:32 · Jack de Menezes]

Olympic champion in waiting? 

Poland's Rafal Majka leads the closing stages of the road race 

[6 August 2016 19:36 · Jack de Menezes]

Men's road race: This isn't over folks, the lead is being slashed and Majka might be cooked. Greg van Avermaet and Jakub Fuglsang are catching him and we've got a 3km battle on!

[6 August 2016 19:37 · Jack de Menezes]

Men's road race: 2km to go - Majka leads by seven seconds...