Well, that was a long old night for us back in the UK. We hope you enjoyed that, and later on Saturday the real stuff begins.
Bring on the live sport!
I shall see you then. Good night/good morning one and all...
Get involved
#bbcrio2016
Alex Haworth: Thought that was a good opening ceremony to be honest. Way better than London 2012 in my opinion.
Ali Clarke: Superbly hypnotically beautiful sculpture surrounding the #OlympicFlame#Brazil#Rio2016 Good luck & well played.
'You don't have to spend'
Michael Johnson
Four-time Olympic gold medallist athlete on BBC One
The opening ceremony truly reflected the culture of Brazil and Rio. There was focus on environment and sustainability but it was full of passion.
People like sport and enjoy life here. Coming from America, we are exactly the opposite which is work, work, work.
It was reflected beautifully in a simple way. They didn't spend as much money as Beijing or London and it proves you don't have to spend to make something spectacular.
The Olympic flame
PACopyright: PA
It's a beautiful thing.
Post update
'A passion for living'
Michael Johnson
Four-time Olympic gold medallist athlete on BBC One
The opening ceremony truly reflected the very culture of Brazil. It was very simple but passionate. The people of Brazil have a passion for living!
The flame speaks out
Shiny disco ball
Get involved
#bbcrio2016
Pottiella: Olympic flame well worth the ridiculous wait the past 40mins - minimalistic, beautiful and thoughtful
Liz Carlisle: Think the budget was mostly spent on led graphics and fireworks. But my, the cauldron is stunning
Kyle Scott: Flashback to 2004 Athens Marathon right there! Wow! What a moment #Rio2016
BOOOM!
BBCCopyright: BBC
A massive flash of fireworks ends the night in Rio. The sculpture around the flame is really quite something.
Post update
Remember the name?
Brazilian Vanderlei de Lima is best known for an extraordinary moment in the 2004 Olympics.
He was winning the marathon by a huge distance of some 20-30 seconds when a defrocked Irish priest Cornelius "Neil" Horan tackled him and he only won bronze.
More fireworks, the flame is lit and the Games are officially open!
Post update
The flame is in a cauldron of sorts, which is lifted high into the Rio sky to meet a huge sculpture by the artist Anthony Howe, representing the sun, the source of energy that the Games progamme says 'we should exploit.'
FLAME LIT!
BBCCopyright: BBC
And now it's handed on to marathon runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima - WHO LIGHTS THE FLAME!
Post update
Gustavo Kuerten now passes the flame to a female basketball player Hortência Marcari...
Post update
Gustavo Kuerten looks hugely emotional here. What an honour, what a moment.
Light the cauldron!
Here comes three-time French Open winner Gustavo Kuerten! He's got the Olympic flame firmly in his grasp...
Post update
Wow!
Badminton player Gabby Adcock's beaming smile says it all.
Live Reporting
Tom Rostance
All times stated are UK
Get involved
PACopyright: PA 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC
Latest PostHighlights of a spectacular show
Checking out
Well, that was a long old night for us back in the UK. We hope you enjoyed that, and later on Saturday the real stuff begins.
Bring on the live sport!
I shall see you then. Good night/good morning one and all...
Get involved
#bbcrio2016
Alex Haworth: Thought that was a good opening ceremony to be honest. Way better than London 2012 in my opinion.
Ali Clarke: Superbly hypnotically beautiful sculpture surrounding the #OlympicFlame#Brazil#Rio2016 Good luck & well played.
'You don't have to spend'
Michael Johnson
Four-time Olympic gold medallist athlete on BBC One
The opening ceremony truly reflected the culture of Brazil and Rio. There was focus on environment and sustainability but it was full of passion.
People like sport and enjoy life here. Coming from America, we are exactly the opposite which is work, work, work.
It was reflected beautifully in a simple way. They didn't spend as much money as Beijing or London and it proves you don't have to spend to make something spectacular.
The Olympic flame
It's a beautiful thing.
Post update
'A passion for living'
Michael Johnson
Four-time Olympic gold medallist athlete on BBC One
The opening ceremony truly reflected the very culture of Brazil. It was very simple but passionate. The people of Brazil have a passion for living!
The flame speaks out
Shiny disco ball
Get involved
#bbcrio2016
Pottiella: Olympic flame well worth the ridiculous wait the past 40mins - minimalistic, beautiful and thoughtful
Liz Carlisle: Think the budget was mostly spent on led graphics and fireworks. But my, the cauldron is stunning
Kyle Scott: Flashback to 2004 Athens Marathon right there! Wow! What a moment #Rio2016
BOOOM!
A massive flash of fireworks ends the night in Rio. The sculpture around the flame is really quite something.
Post update
Remember the name?
Brazilian Vanderlei de Lima is best known for an extraordinary moment in the 2004 Olympics.
He was winning the marathon by a huge distance of some 20-30 seconds when a defrocked Irish priest Cornelius "Neil" Horan tackled him and he only won bronze.
Read all about it.
Post update
More fireworks, the flame is lit and the Games are officially open!
Post update
The flame is in a cauldron of sorts, which is lifted high into the Rio sky to meet a huge sculpture by the artist Anthony Howe, representing the sun, the source of energy that the Games progamme says 'we should exploit.'
FLAME LIT!
And now it's handed on to marathon runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima - WHO LIGHTS THE FLAME!
Post update
Gustavo Kuerten now passes the flame to a female basketball player Hortência Marcari...
Post update
Gustavo Kuerten looks hugely emotional here. What an honour, what a moment.
Light the cauldron!
Here comes three-time French Open winner Gustavo Kuerten! He's got the Olympic flame firmly in his grasp...
Post update
Wow!
Badminton player Gabby Adcock's beaming smile says it all.