Fireworks explode over the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro at the end of the opening ceremony on Friday, August 5.
Fireworks explode over the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro at the end of the opening ceremony on Friday, August 5.
Francois-Xavier Marit/AFP/Getty images
The Olympic cauldron is lit at the stadium.
The Olympic cauldron is lit at the stadium.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
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.
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.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony at the Maracana Stadium.
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony at the Maracana Stadium.
LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images
The Olympic flag is carried into the stadium.
The Olympic flag is carried into the stadium.
Morry Gash/Pool/Getty Images
Fireworks are seen over the stadium.
Fireworks are seen over the stadium.
Morry Gash/AP
Children fly kites during the event.
Children fly kites during the event.
David J. Phillip/AP
The Refugee Olympic Team walks out during the parade of nations.
The Refugee Olympic Team walks out during the parade of nations.
Jae C. Hong/AP
Pentathlete Yane Marques leads Brazil's athletes into the Maracana Stadium.
Pentathlete Yane Marques leads Brazil's athletes into the Maracana Stadium.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Members of the Russian team take part in the parade of nations.
Members of the Russian team take part in the parade of nations.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Iran's athletes enter the stadium.
Iran's athletes enter the stadium.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Members of Indonesia's Olympic team walk during the parade of nations.
Members of Indonesia's Olympic team walk during the parade of nations.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
There were more than 200 countries taking part in the opening ceremony.
There were more than 200 countries taking part in the opening ceremony.
David Rogers/Getty Images
Members of Spain's delegation wave fans during the ceremony.
Members of Spain's delegation wave fans during the ceremony.
LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images
Spectators hold up their phones during the event.
Spectators hold up their phones during the event.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Belarus team members pose for photographs while entering the stadium.
Belarus team members pose for photographs while entering the stadium.
Lars Baron/Getty Images
U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, carries the American flag into the Maracana Stadium.
U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, carries the American flag into the Maracana Stadium.
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Egyptian athletes take photos as they march into the stadium.
Egyptian athletes take photos as they march into the stadium.
Matt Slocum/AP
Trampoline gymnast Rosie MacLennan carries the Canadian flag.
Trampoline gymnast Rosie MacLennan carries the Canadian flag.
David J. Phillip/AP
A performer smiles during the opening ceremony.
A performer smiles during the opening ceremony.
Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images
Team Burundi arrives at the opening ceremony.
Team Burundi arrives at the opening ceremony.
Michael Sohn/AP
Sailing athlete Sofia Bekatorou leads Greece out.
Sailing athlete Sofia Bekatorou leads Greece out.
Paul Gilham/Getty Images
A "Favela Voices" segment takes place during the ceremony.
A "Favela Voices" segment takes place during the ceremony.
Ian Walton/Getty Images
A volunteer carries the flag of the Independent Olympic Team.
A volunteer carries the flag of the Independent Olympic Team.
Matt Slocum/AP
Members of Australia's Olympic team take photos inside the stadium.
Members of Australia's Olympic team take photos inside the stadium.
Paul Gilham/Getty Images
The colorful performances that opened the ceremony included lasers, 3-D projections and a cascade of water enveloping the stage.
The colorful performances that opened the ceremony included lasers, 3-D projections and a cascade of water enveloping the stage.
FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP/Getty Images
Fireworks explode during the event.
Fireworks explode during the event.
Pool/Getty Images
A performer holds a plant. The ceremony was designed to promote two messages: protection of the environment and peace.
A performer holds a plant. The ceremony was designed to promote two messages: protection of the environment and peace.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen walks on stage at the start of the event.
Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen walks on stage at the start of the event.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Performers take part in the spectacle.
Performers take part in the spectacle.
David Rogers/Getty Images
Dancers perform.
Dancers perform.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont is honored during the event.
Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont is honored during the event.
ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images
There were 35,000 professionals who worked on the show.
There were 35,000 professionals who worked on the show.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
There were 5,500 costumes made for the event.
There were 5,500 costumes made for the event.
OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images
There were 3 billion people said to be watching around the world.
There were 3 billion people said to be watching around the world.
CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images
Artists take part in the ceremony.
Artists take part in the ceremony.
GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
People perform during the countdown at the start of the event.
People perform during the countdown at the start of the event.
Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
A view inside the Maracana Stadium.
A view inside the Maracana Stadium.
FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP/Getty Images
Rio Olympics: Opening ceremony

Story highlights

The opening ceremony showed off Brazilian culture and history

The refugee team made its appearance in the parade of nations

CNN  — 

The Olympic Games began Friday with a cool opening ceremony that included samba, lasers, the country’s famous supermodel and plenty of dancing. It was part history lesson, part celebration of culture, part pitch for peace and for the health of the planet.

It’s just too bad that Pele, the football legend, was too ill to be there. Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima, a former runner who led the marathon at the 2004 Games until he was attacked by a spectator, lit the Olympic cauldron.

Many of the millions of people watching around the world were heartened to learn that each of the 11,000-plus athletes would plant a seed of a tree to form a forest.

They also saw Gisele Bundchen sashay across the Maracana stadium floor to the bossa nova music of “The Girl from Ipanema.”

Here are some of the fascinating things about the first official day of the Games.

Inspiring moment: It was awesome to see the group of refugee athletes getting a chance to march in the parade of nations. Actress and UNICEF Goodwill ambassador Mia Farrow writes that fans can show their support for the team by educating themselves on the plights of refugees.

Ready to bolt: This is probably it for American sprinter Justin Gatlin – his last chance to take down the fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt. Gatlin says he isn’t concerning himself with whether he can stop the Jamaican star from becoming the first man to win three sprint golds in three consecutive Games.

“This is my third Olympics, so I’m bringing the fun, carefree Justin Gatlin from 2004 and the ‘honored to be here’ Justin Gatlin from 2012,” he told CNN.

Olympic Games

  • Rio 2016: Full coverage
  • Abe/Mario joins closing ceremony
  • Kenya takes marathon double
  • Ethiopian in finish line protest
  • What to expect in Japan in 2020
  • Did China underperform in Rio?

    • Karaoke kings: Late night show host James Corden has made singing in the car go from silly to cool. U.S. swimmers managed to make their own “Carpool Karaoke” a little of both.

    Not all good news: A Moroccan boxer is denying any wrongdoing after he was arrested Friday on on allegations of trying to rape two Brazilian maids at the Olympic Village. Hassan Saada, 22, is being questioned by authorities and hasn’t been charged. His lawyer is trying to get him out of detention in time for his scheduled fight Saturday.

    What to watch for on Saturday