Rio Olympics 2016 Opening Ceremony Live Updates: Celebrity performances & list of events

The Girl From Ipanema is here#Rio2016 #olympics #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/yvE4QrD7MZ
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) August 5, 2016

Alberto Santos-Dumont was one of Brazil's greatest heroes and he was shown here, flying out of the stadium. Stunning depiction there and it is followed by the entry of supermodel Gisele Bundchen, who is another Brazilian icon. She is taking her final catwalk and it is not a bad place to do so.

The urbanization and development of Brazil now being shown here through construction of houses, buildings and complexes. Brazil is one of the biggest economies in the world and rightly so, given its manpower and rich land.

The Portuguese have left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of Brazil. However, there have been others, like Asians, Africans and Arabs, who have come and settled in this South American nation, making it a kaleidoscope of cultures.

All the best @Leander #Rio2016 #olympics #OpeningCeremony https://t.co/OtvELQI7BM
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) August 5, 2016

Brazil has a rich indigenous heritage and is still home to a large number of tribes, which have origins dating back to hundreds of years. The richness of the land attracted European colonies to Brazil and the Portuguese set their eyes on it more than anyone else

The fireworks at Maracana stadium #Rio2016 #olympics #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/GKnUQLG8WL
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) August 5, 2016

The story of the opening ceremony has started and life, in its really early forms, is being depicted and the Brazilian land, known for its rich biodiversity, is shown by a bevy of stunning colours and light work. The Amazon rainforest is one of the purest landscapes in the world and it stands for diversity unlike any other land.

Dignitaries are welcomed and the crowds have now stood up for the national anthem of Brazil. The flag is being raised simultaneously and it looks glorious, powerful and imapctful

#Rio2016 #OpeningCeremony starts pic.twitter.com/k8v5sGbyNt
— AFP news agency (@AFP) August 5, 2016

One of the themes of the night is "gambiarra", described as “the Brazilian talent for making the most out of nothing” #OpeningCeremony
— Rio 2016 (@Rio2016_en) August 5, 2016

The performances have begun and we have dazzling dancers dressed in silver clothes performing in front of a packed crowd. They are actually here to symbolise the countdown. Quite magnificent this is looking and their movements are stunning.

Brazil is one of the largest countries in the world and its love for sport is matched by only a few nations. Football is a religion in Brazil and the Samba nation has given the world stars like Pele, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka.

There is a huge roar and the packed stadium does the countdown and we are off.

😅 4 minutes to go #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/eB6Uw52gw5
— Olympics (@Olympics) August 5, 2016

All the preparations, hard work and planning of authorities culminate tonight with this glorious ceremony, which is like a gateway to a world of hope, tears, happiness, sweat and success over the next 15 days or so.

LOOK: Only 10 minutes to go and the dancers are ready for the #OpeningCeremony to begin. | via @Rio2016_en pic.twitter.com/Y0AJWaY02h
— GMA News Breaking (@gmanewsbreaking) August 5, 2016

And we are here LIVE!!!! The opening ceremony is just about to start and THIS IS IT

A lot of people around the world are staying up during the wee hours of the night just to be able to watch the opening ceremony, including and especially viewers from Asian countries like India, China, Japan and Malaysia among others.

The Maracana Stadium is one of the most historic in the world and has hosted plenty of great events in the past with the most recent being the 2014 FIFA World Cup final, which saw Germany beat Argentina 1-0 to take the biggest prize in football home

The #OpeningCeremony is just about to begin here in Rio! pic.twitter.com/L5eFswcu6k
— Jonno Simpson (@JonnoSimpson) August 5, 2016

Fans from all around the world have travelled to the southern hemisphere and we are expecting a stunning fortnight of action filled with moments of joy, shock, brilliance, happiness and ecstasy for different countries. There is nothing quite like the Olympics simply due to its ability congregate nations and athletes on one stage.

Oooooh shiny! Wonder what these guys will be doing at the #OpeningCeremony?? pic.twitter.com/7pLjoSKsA0
— Rio 2016 (@Rio2016_en) August 5, 2016

The entire world is gearing up for a stunning opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics and the authorities have left no stone unturned to ensure that we will have a spectacle to remember.

This is how the venue is looking from above right now. Terrific stuff!

Rio 2016 officially kicks off tonight and the stadium is slowly filling up!

We hope you are staying up late to catch a glimpse of Team India led by Abhinav Bindra.

We are just 45 minutes away from the 'opening ceremony' of the biggest sporting extravaganza in the world.

Hello friends and welcome to Sportskeeda’s live coverage of the opening ceremony of 2016 Rio Olympics opening ceremony. We will be bringing you live updates of all the happenings from the Maracana Stadium as the Brazilian city embraces the greatest spectacle on earth tonight.

With hours left for the Rio Olympics to kick start, the organisers have prepared a delicious platter for the viewers around the world in their opening ceremony which is scheduled to take place at the iconic Maracana Stadium. The greatest sporting spectacle in the world will be followed by billions of people around the world and the hosts are making sure that the opening ceremony becomes a glamorous night. Among the Brazilian stars is legendary singer Elza Soares who will be representing Rio's most famous musical genre, samba, while Karol Conka and MC Soffia will be the voice of Brazil’s hip-hop scene, whose messages of empowerment will set the tone for the Olympics.

Two of Brazil’s most renowned singers Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veleso will perform alongside Carioca singer Anitta after her three albums became popular since 2013. Karol Conka, a rapper from the city of Curitiba who gained international recognition after her track “Tombei” back in 2014 became viral.

Anitta generally works on a blend of commercial pop, hip-hop, cumbia, Jamaican reggaeton and danceshell, apart from those she is also quite familiar with Miami bass music and other Carribean variations. She became popular after featuring in the “Furacao 2000.”

Veleso and Gil recently performed at the Microsoft theatre in Los Angeles and are expected to mesmerise the large audience to present at the Maracana on Friday. The both of them were held for 9 months by the Brazilian military regime on the grounds of being possible threats and eventually were asked to leave the country.

It is also learnt as per the reports of the official Rio Olympics website, globally renowned supermodel Gisele Bundchen will also be a part of the mega event and is likely to catwalk during the ceremony. Apart from Gisele, Brazilian model Lea T is going to make an appearance but the role of the celebrity has not been disclosed, which will be the first time a transgender person to play a role at the Olympics.

During an interview with BBC Brasil Lea T said, “The message will be clear: inclusion. All of us, independent of gender, sexual orientation, colour, race or creed, are all human beings and are part of this society. My role in the ceremony is tiny but will be significant for representation, and will help to transmit this message (of inclusion).”

The three-hour show is full of excitement and surprises will ensure viewers to stay glued to the stage. In addition to all these, British actress Dame Judi Dench is supposed to read out a poem.

The opening ceremony is scheduled to start at 4.30 am IST (8 pm local time) and it is going to be broadcast in eight channels of the Star Sports network in India.

Rio Olympics 2016 Opening Ceremony Live Updates: Celebrity performances & list of events

Welcome to the LIVE coverage of the Opening Ceremony!