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Spectacular opening ceremony kicks off 2016 Rio Olympics

The 2016 summer Olympic Games have officially begun.

The spectacular four-hour-long opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium was a celebration of Brazil's diversity set against a backdrop of samba, bossa nova and funk.

A smiling Andy Murray led Team GB in the athletes parade, while the Olympic cauldron was lit by Brazilian runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima.

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Refugee Olympic team joins athletes parade

The refugee team received huge applause from the audience Credit: Reuters

The refugee team, representing the 65 million displaced people around the world, have entered the Maracana stadium.

The team of 10 athletes was greeted with huge applause from onlookers.

The Rio Olympics is the first time a refugee team has competed in the Games

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