Rio Olympic Games Open With Fireworks

The financially constrained ceremony - with a budget 10 times smaller than London's - is retracing the history of Brazil.

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   Fireworks blasted from the top of the stadium and the Brazilian national anthem quickly followed
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The Rio Olympic Games' opening ceremony has launched with a stunning display of fireworks and dancing.

The ceremony began at the iconic Maracana Stadium at midnight UK time, kicking off a four-hour celebration for the 31st Olympiad.

Performers take part in the opening ceremony

Dozens of heads of state were among a crowd of thousands as the ceremony started with fireworks and a dance by performers.
The ceremony has a budget of just £3m, a tenth of that spent for London 2012, as the country is currently in recession.

A birdseye view of the stadium as the ceremony begins

It is retracing the history of Brazil, from the arrival of Portuguese colonists through to the introduction of African slaves.
The ceremony's opening themes were world peace and the environment.

More performers at the start of the ceremony

A huge green peace symbol dangled over the centre of the arena, before a projection depicted the birth of the Amazon rainforest.
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Unlike the ceremonies in Beijing in 2008 and London  2012, recession-hit Brazil had little choice but to put on a more "analogue" show.
It has minimal high-tech and a heavy dependence on Brazil's Carnival party traditions.

The colourful performances were greeted with loud applause

Only a tenth of Team GB's 366 athletes were expected to attend due to athletes not yet being in Brazil or at training camps.
Others were in bed because they are competing this weekend. Andy Murray is Team GB's flag bearer.
Outside the stadium, security was tight after protests by thousands of Brazilians angry at political upheaval and the cost of the Games.
Fans streaming out of the newly upgraded subway system toward the stadium were greeted by camouflaged soldiers with automatic rifles.
More soldiers and riot police were out in force around the stadium, where trucks mounted with water cannon stood guard.

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Locals were being prevented from passing through the security cordon to their homes.
About 30 young protesters were seated on the ground in front of some 80 police. They booed when the opening fireworks went up
Meanwhile, Pele pulled out of lighting the cauldron at the Olympics opening ceremony just hours before it began.

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Brazil's best-known sportsman released a statement saying ill-health would prevent him from participating.
"I'm not physically able to attend the opening of the Olympics," said the former footballer, who has recently suffered kidney and hip problems.
 "Only God is more important than my health."
Brazilian tennis great Gustavo Kuerten has been drafted in to fill Pele's shoes.