Spectacular opening ceremony kicks off 2016 Rio Olympics

The 2016 summer Olympic Games have officially opened to great fanfare, and amid tight security.

Brazil's interim President Michel Temer declare South America's first ever Games open in a short speech.

He was jeered by some in the crowd at the famed Maracana soccer stadium in a sign of the political divisions that have riven the country ahead of the games, but otherwise the opening ceremony was untroubled.

Facing fiscal constraints, Brazil had promised a more "low-tech" ceremony in comparison to those of Beijing and London, but produced elaborately flamboyant display nonetheless.

The 2016 Rio Olympics are officially under way after a glittering Opening Ceremony. Credit: PA
The opening ceremony was a celebration of Brazil's diverse population Credit: Reuters
A history of Brazil played out on the stadium floor Credit: Reuters
The ceremony included a portrayal of the arival of the Portuguese colonialists in Brazil Credit: Reuters
Performers take part in the opening ceremony. Credit: Reuters

Rio's effort was a celebration of Brazilian diversity set amid a musical accompaniment of samba, bossa nova and funk, combining Carnival traditions with a serious message.

A history of Brazil played out on the stadium floor pulled no punches with its portrayal of the Portuguese colonisation and conquest of the indigenous populations, as well as the use of African slave labor in Brazil.

The mega-cities of Brazil formed in a dizzying video display as acrobats jumped from roof to roof of emerging buildings and then on to the steep favela that served as the front stage for the ceremony.

The ceremony also had a strong environrmental message Credit: Reuters
Flagbearer Nathike Lokonyen leads out the Refugee Olympic Athletes team Credit: Reuters
As host, Brazil were the last nation to enter the Maracana Stadium, led by Yane Marques. Credit: Reuters
Swimmer Michael Phelps led out Team USA. Credit: Reuters
Flagbearer Sergey Tetyukhin led the Russian team. Credit: Reuters

The proceedings also celebrated the culture of the favelas, the country's slum dwellings, with numbers sung by stars Karol Conka and 12-year-old rapper MC Soffia.

Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen sashayed across the stadium floor to the sound of bossa nova hit "Girl from Ipanema".

Paulinho da Viola, a samba songwriter, sang the national anthem with a string orchestra.

Brazil, which is home to the Amazon, the world's largest rainforest, chose the environment among its themes and the ceremony grew serious, drawing attention to the problem of climate change.

A beaming Andy Murray led Team GB's Olympic hopefuls into Rio's Maracana stadium to a rousing ovation during the athletes parade.

Team GB tweeted that the moment gave them "goosebumps".

Brazilian marathon runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima lit the Olympic cauldron Credit: Reuters
It was complemented by a shining display representing a larger flame Credit: Reuters
Fireworks over the Maracana stadium. Credit: Reuters

Loud cheering erupted when two of the last teams entered the stadium: the first Refugee team in Olympic history and finally a samba-dancing Brazil contingent.

Brazilian marathon runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima, a bronze medallist in Athens in 2004, lit the Olympic cauldron, a small and low-emission model befitting the environmental theme, complemented by a shining display to represent a much larger flame.