Grand Opening ceremony marks the beginning of Rio Olympics
The ceremony displayed various shades of Brazil's rich and diverse culture.
207 teams paraded at the Maracana Stadium with a refugee team as they were given a roaring welcome by the spectators present at the ground.
The Olympic cauldron was lighted by former marathon runner Vanderlei de Lima.
The opening ceremony had a major highlight point as it sent out a message to take care of the planet and plant seeds.
With much lesser use of high-tech than the one displayed in Beijing (2008) and London (2012), Rio depended more of its own talents and Brazil's Carnival party.
Brazil's interim President Michel Temer declared the opening of the games.
The games is first time being played in South America.
With Indian players performing strongly in the past two editions of the games, hopes will be high from them in 2016 edition of the mega sports event.
Image: Hockey India Twitter page
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