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The 2016 Olympic Games have kicked off in spectacular fashion, thanks to a supermodel, some samba and a celebration of global diversity.

Hundreds of performers took part in the opening ceremony, which started with a celebration of Brazil's past and present, it's history, diversity and grand musical traditions.

More than 200 countries were represented during the longest stretch of the show, with athletes waving national flags and cheering to the crowd as they were introduced one by one.

Great Britain arrived to cheers from the crowd at around 9.40pm local time but in the wee small hours in the UK.

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: Getty)

Andy Murray carried the flag in his left hand - to protect his forehand - and waved at the crowds with a big smile on his face.

The women in the team were wearing a white jacket with navy trousers, while men wore navy- jackets with shorts.

On the back of the outfits was the new British Olympic Association coat of arms, which includes the floral emblems of the UK and the motto 'iuncti in uno' — conjoined as one in Latin.

(Image: Getty) (Image: REUTERS)

A special team of refugee Olympians also garnered a lot of attention and cheers, bearing no flag but representing the success that people can bring from other cultures.

The closing speech of the ceremony in particular celebrated the idea of unity and diversity.

Earlier in the day Olympic chiefs had faced a race against time to find a last-minute substitute for footballing legend Pele at the Games opening event when he was forced to pull out.

They came up with a Kuerten-raiser of their own – tennis player Gustavo Kuerten.

Kuerten, 39 and from Florianopolis, Brazil, participated in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games in Sydney and Athens.

A former No. 1 ranked player, he was called in at the last moment when Pele cried off sick.

But it was the 'Girl from Ipanema' who stole the show. Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen strutted across the stage in a golden dress for her last ever appearance on the cat walk.

Fortunately the much-criticised 'staged mugging' that had been rumoured before the ceremony did not take place.

(Image: Getty) (Image: Getty)

Where London 2012 went for spectacular displays of music and history featuring thousands of volunteers, the Rio 2016 opener was a futuristic production with a simple message – Save the Planet.

Stunning visual displays transformed Rio's world famous Maracana arena into an ocean, with a huge electronic curtain of birds and wildlife, before an estimated TV audience of three billion – and an ecstatic 50,000 strong crowd in the arena.

(Image: PA Wire) (Image: AFP/Getty)

An army of dancers weaved beams of light around centre stage to the sounds of wildlife, then the beat of Amazon jungle drums.

Three boats or 'Caravels' took to the 'sea' lit up in the centre of the arena to symbolise the settlers who first arrived in Brazil from Portugal through unchartered waters.

Teams of acrobats moved across the arena to represent the arrival of slaves from Africa, which lasted almost 400 years in Brazil.

Lebanese and Syrian traders danced over the electronic waves.

(Image: AFP/Getty) (Image: AFP/Getty)

The show opened with a video featuring the city's famous beaches, rainforests, favela kids, horse riding and skyscrapers.

Then, cheers rang out for kids playing the game for which the country has become famous around the world, football.

From the off, the crowd cheered and whistled for every symbol of Brazil shown on the Maracana's giant screens.

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(Image: AFP/Getty) (Image: AFP/Getty)

Hundreds of futuristic 'silver' dancers created a geometric art display, raising a giant inflatable peace symbol – familiar to Brits as the sign used by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

Brazil's National Anthem was played to cheers from the crowd as 10 sport stars paraded in the arena swathed in the nation's famous green, yellow and blue flags.

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Michael Temer, the acting president of Brazil, then made his first appearance of the night alongside IOC President Thomas Bach, who was cheered by the crowd.

A recreation of the beginning of life marked the ceremony's main theme – Save the Planet.

With a backdrop designed by the famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, the 'Girl from Ipanema' played as Gisele sashayed right across the arena.

(Image: AFP/Getty) (Image: REUTERS)

It was her last ever catwalk – but she ended her modelling career on a high.

Modern rap songs from Rio's famous favela then boomed out with dancers carrying spears, swords, balls and fire for a spectacular floor show with an army of dancers on a huge stage made of boxes.

The 1,500 performers entered the auditorium for a 'Soul Ball' of traditional Brazilian music.

As fireworks made way for giant NASA models, the global audience was shown the impact of global warming with the rise of CO2 emissions demonstrated in a giant light show.

As in Beijing 2008, the crowd became part of the performance, waving thousands of light sabres above their heads.

(Image: ddp USA/REX/Shutterstock) (Image: AFP/Getty)



Protests outside at one of the main Metro stations had delayed some spectators, but the stadium was full by the time the show kicked off at midnight UK time.

The crowd danced and sang, mesmerised by the clever use of light and graphics which transformed the arena.