The Olympic Games curtain-raiser begins at 20:00:00 local time on Friday 5 August 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.
At the famous Maracanã, officially the Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho. The stadium will stage the opening and closing ceremonies and the decisive matches of the men’s and women’s football tournaments. The iconic venue was modernised for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and can hold 74,738 spectators.
Athletes from 206 nations and a refugee team are in Brazil to compete in 28 sports and be watched by a global audience of billions.
The games will officially take place between 5 and 21 August, but the action kicked off two days ago with the women’s football.
Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen and Briton Dame Judi Dench are confirmed to have roles in the production before the 207 competing teams take part in the Parade of Nations.
Many nationals risked ban following doping claims. Russia has been cleared 75% with WADA earlier today terming Kenya anti-doping compliant.