Fireworks explode over the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro at the end of the opening ceremony on Friday, August 5.
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The Olympic cauldron is lit at the stadium.
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Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima, a former Brazilian long-distance runner, lights the Olympic cauldron. De Lima was leading the Olympic marathon in 2004 when he was attacked by a protester near the end of the race. He ended up finishing third, but the graceful way he handled the disappointment won him plaudits around the world for his sportsmanship.
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Dancers perform during the opening ceremony at the Maracana Stadium.
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The Olympic flag is carried into the stadium.
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Fireworks are seen over the stadium.
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Children fly kites during the event.
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The Refugee Olympic Team walks out during the parade of nations.
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Pentathlete Yane Marques leads Brazil's athletes into the Maracana Stadium.
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Members of the Russian team take part in the parade of nations.
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Iran's athletes enter the stadium.
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Members of Indonesia's Olympic team walk during the parade of nations.
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There were more than 200 countries taking part in the opening ceremony.
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Members of Spain's delegation wave fans during the ceremony.
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Spectators hold up their phones during the event.
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Belarus team members pose for photographs while entering the stadium.
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U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, carries the American flag into the Maracana Stadium.
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Egyptian athletes take photos as they march into the stadium.
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Trampoline gymnast Rosie MacLennan carries the Canadian flag.
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A performer smiles during the opening ceremony.
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Team Burundi arrives at the opening ceremony.
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Sailing athlete Sofia Bekatorou leads Greece out.
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A "Favela Voices" segment takes place during the ceremony.
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A volunteer carries the flag of the Independent Olympic Team.
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Members of Australia's Olympic team take photos inside the stadium.
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The colorful performances that opened the ceremony included lasers, 3-D projections and a cascade of water enveloping the stage.
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Fireworks explode during the event.
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A performer holds a plant. The ceremony was designed to promote two messages: protection of the environment and peace.
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Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen walks on stage at the start of the event.
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Performers take part in the spectacle.
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Dancers perform.
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Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont is honored during the event.
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There were 35,000 professionals who worked on the show.
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There were 5,500 costumes made for the event.
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There were 3 billion people said to be watching around the world.
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Artists take part in the ceremony.
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People perform during the countdown at the start of the event.
