Rio games starts in earnest

The honour was for Brazil's former long-distance runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima to light the Olympic cauldron during the spectacular opening ceremony of the Rio Olympic Games at the iconic Maracana Stadium on Friday night. Photos: Reuters

It's not just a manually driven three wheeler that leads the teams to the march past but also symbolizes the green-campaign. Photos: Reuters

Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen has certainly scored a perfect ten after what was a dazzling catwalk much to the delight of an 80,000 plus audience. Photos: Reuters

A brave captain cruises his ship through the rough weather -- the symbol of Brazil's transformation into a modern country. Photos: Reuters

A carnival without samba is unthinkable in Rio. Photos: Reuters

Will Olympic Games in Rio bring qualitative changes in the living of mass people? A protester against the Games does not believe it. Photos: Reuters

The Rio Games truly ensured everybody's participation and here the refugee team walk proudly with the IOC flag in the opening ceremony. Photos: Reuters

And here are the vibrant future Olympians who are running in droves with dove-like kites. Photos: Reuters