
Fireworks explode over the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro at the end of the opening ceremony on Friday, August 5.

The Olympic cauldron is lit at the stadium.

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.

Dancers perform during the opening ceremony at the Maracana Stadium.

The Olympic flag is carried into the stadium.

Fireworks are seen over the stadium.

Children fly kites during the event.

The Refugee Olympic Team walks out during the parade of nations.

Pentathlete Yane Marques leads Brazil's athletes into the Maracana Stadium.

Members of the Russian team take part in the parade of nations.

Iran's athletes enter the stadium.

Members of Indonesia's Olympic team walk during the parade of nations.

There were more than 200 countries taking part in the opening ceremony.

Members of Spain's delegation wave fans during the ceremony.

Spectators hold up their phones during the event.

Belarus team members pose for photographs while entering the stadium.

U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, carries the American flag into the Maracana Stadium.

Egyptian athletes take photos as they march into the stadium.

Trampoline gymnast Rosie MacLennan carries the Canadian flag.

A performer smiles during the opening ceremony.

Team Burundi arrives at the opening ceremony.

Sailing athlete Sofia Bekatorou leads Greece out.

A "Favela Voices" segment takes place during the ceremony.

A volunteer carries the flag of the Independent Olympic Team.

Members of Australia's Olympic team take photos inside the stadium.

The colorful performances that opened the ceremony included lasers, 3-D projections and a cascade of water enveloping the stage.

Fireworks explode during the event.

A performer holds a plant. The ceremony was designed to promote two messages: protection of the environment and peace.

Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen walks on stage at the start of the event.

Performers take part in the spectacle.

Dancers perform.

Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont is honored during the event.

There were 35,000 professionals who worked on the show.

There were 5,500 costumes made for the event.

There were 3 billion people said to be watching around the world.

Artists take part in the ceremony.

People perform during the countdown at the start of the event.

A view inside the Maracana Stadium.