The games of the 31st Olympiad are now under way in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Organizers kicked off the proceedings with a colorful opening ceremony that highlighted Brazilian history and culture, and featured messages of hope and of care for the environment. Singers, lightshows, the Parade of Nations, multimedia performances, and Samba dances were all followed by the the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron in Maracana Stadium, and the beginning of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics.
Photos of the Rio 2016 Olympics Opening Ceremony
- Alan Taylor
- August 6, 2016
- 42 Photos
- In Focus
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Read moreThe Olympic Cauldron is lit at the Olympic Boulevard for the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 5, 2016. #
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Read moreFireworks explode above the stadium roof during the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium on August 5, 2016. #
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Read moreProjections cover the floor of Maracana Stadium as performers take part in the Olympic Opening Ceremony. #
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Read morePerformers manipulate a large insect puppet during the opening ceremony. #
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Read moreDancers run into place during the opening ceremony, part of a piece depicting the rise of Brazil's rainforest. #
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Read moreDancers perform in Maracana Stadium on August 5, 2016. #
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Read moreA performer portrays a Portuguese explorer on a ship during the Opening Ceremony. #
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Read moreDancers perform in Maracana stadium in Rio on August 5, 2016. #
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Read moreSupermodel Gisele Bundchen walks as The Girl From Ipanema during the Bossa segment during the Opening Ceremony. #
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Read morePaulinho da Viola performs during the Opening Ceremony. #
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Read moreThe Brazilian flag flaps in the breeze in Maracana Stadium on August 5, 2016. #
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Read moreA street map and mockup of a favela fill the floor of Maracana Stadium during the opening ceremony. #
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Read morePerformers scale mock buildings in Maracana Stadium during the Olympic Opening Ceremony. #
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Read moreA dancer performs in Maracana Stadium on August 5, 2016. #
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Read moreDancers fling sparks during the opening ceremony in Rio. #
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Read moreDancers peform the Pop: Tropical Nation segment of the Opening Ceremony. #
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Read moreDancers perform in Maracana Stadium. #
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Read moreSpectators raise lights as part of the show in Rio on August 5, 2016. #
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Read moreMaracana Stadium is lit by fireworks during the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. #
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Read moreA dancer performs "A Simple Idea that Helps A Lot" segment in Maracana Stadium. #
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Read moreFireworks explode to form the Olympic Rings above Maracana Stadium on August 5, 2016. #
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Read moreFireworks explode above the stadium during the Opening Ceremony. #
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Read moreVolunteers and participants look up and photograph the show during the Rio 2016 Olympic Opening Ceremony. #
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Read moreLocals in Rio watch the opening ceremony on TV. #
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Read moreA member of the South Korean delegation smiles during the opening ceremony. #
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Read moreMembers of the Bolivian team walk in the "Parade of Nations" segment, on August 5, 2016. #
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Read moreTeam Canada emerges into the stadium during the Opening Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro. #
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Read moreMichael Phelps carries the flag of the United States during the 2016 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony. #
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Read moreAustralian athletes take a selfie as they march into Maracana Stadium. #
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Read moreMembers of Team China arrives in the stadium. #
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Read moreRose Lokonyen Nathike carries the flag of Refugee Olympic Team during the opening ceremony on August 5, 2016. #
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Read moreMembers of South Africa's delegation dance during the Parade of Nations in Maracana Stadium. #
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Read moreAthletes from around the world gather on the floor of Maracana Stadium. #
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Read moreSamba dancers perform during the opening ceremony in Rio. #
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Read moreAn audience member takes a picture during the opening ceremony on August 5, 2016. #
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Read moreYoung performers run into Maracana Stadium on August 5, 2016. #
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Read moreFormer Brazilian tennis player Gustavo Kuerten carries the Olympic torch into Maracana stadium in Rio on August 5, 2016. #
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Read moreHortencia Marcari is photographed by dozens of athletes as she carries the Olympic torch during the opening ceremony. #
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Read moreFormer Brazilian athlete Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima climbs stairs to the Olympic cauldron with the Olympic torch in Rio de Janeiro on August 5, 2016. #
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Read moreVanderlei Cordeiro de Lima lights the Olympic cauldron with the Olympic torch on August 5, 2016. #
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Read moreThe Olympic flame burns in a cauldron backed by a kinetic sculpture during the 2016 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony. #
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Read moreFireworks explode over Maracana Stadium with the Prazeres 'favela' community in the foreground during opening ceremonies for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on August 5, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. #
Mario Tama / Getty
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