The August 5 opening ceremony in Rio's Maracana stadium celebrated Brazil's history and natural beauty, before former marathon runner Vanderlei de Lima lit the Olympic cauldron.
Fireworks, Pageantry As Rio Opens 2016 Olympic Games
The 2016 Summer Olympics have opened amid fanfare and partying in the host city Rio de Janeiro, featuring a diminished Russian team, Iran's first-ever woman flag-bearer, and a team from Kosovo who are in their first games.
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Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony.
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Brazilian soldiers march past the Olympic and Braziilian flags.
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The Olympics – the first to be staged in South America -- will run until August 21.
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Children enter with kites in the shape of doves.