2016-08-06 04:02:11
FIREWORKS AND FANFARE!
More entertainment, as the athletes mingle and party it up under the fabulous fireworks. There will be formal addresses, more handshakes, more hugs and more fun. We're calling it a night for now, but will be back with more coverage on Saturday - men's cycling (Louis Meintjes ftw!?). Ciao, Adios, G' night.
2016-08-06 03:54:24
HOME COMFORTS
Team Zimbabwe and Zambia pretty much close off the parade for the African teams, followed by the Olympic refugee team. They get a standing ovation. Then, a huge round of applause for the home nation - BRAZIL! The great Pele, by the way, won't be lighting the torch for them after all.
Read more about why here.2016-08-06 03:35:48
MIXED RECEPTION
Just before the baby blue Somalians and maroon-blazered Sri Lankans, come the Russians. The crowd is pretty receptive to 'em, despite recent doping-related events. Here's hoping the team is entirely clean.
2016-08-06 03:17:02
QUICK CATCH-UP
Team South Africa marched out earlier...
2016-08-06 03:13:41
ALPHABET SOUP
We're into the 'Ls' now, with a rather lethargic looking Libya preceded by the lovely Lesotho. Meanwhile, a quick collection of the best images from the opening ceremony so far....
Click here2016-08-06 02:45:38
THE US, THEN GB
Team USA are followed by Team Great Britain, led by flag bearer Andy Murray, whose tennis is really on point at the moment...
2016-08-06 02:35:59
MORE THAN A PECK ON THE CHEEK!
A jovial Team Spain really getting into it, with a few kisses and some more in-depth snogs shared by some of the more amorous members of the Spanish parade. *Blush*
2016-08-06 02:23:30
CONGOS
No, not the American rock band of South African influence, which is actually spelt 'Kongos', but the Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo are out in the middle. They're dressed very formally - no sporty gear for them just yet.
2016-08-06 02:14:22
NATIONAL PRIDE!
South Africans vast and varied - those who stayed awake for the festivities, at least - are brimming with pride as flag bearer Wayde van Niekerk leads Team South Africa out now. They're all looking mighty smart and sporty in their collective and individual green and gold. Selfies all around, but let's hope they're taking in the spectacle rather than just staring at their phones. They're quickly followed by plenty of other countries, as the PA announcer rushes through the nations in alphabetical order. Afrique du Sud, of course, jumped the queue a bit this year.
2016-08-06 01:58:04
GO FOR GREEN!
A large segment is dedicated to environmental conscientiousness, with global warming, recycling and other green points of contention at the fore of the display.
2016-08-06 01:46:24
2016-08-06 01:33:19
PLENTY ON THE GO!
Scenes are morphing into one another quite quickly at the Maracana Stadium, where the national anthem gives way to Rio's historic celebration of the arrival of the Japanese, Europeans and Africans. Then it's quickly onto a celebration of Brazilian inventor and aviation pioneer Albertos Santos-Dumont. Of he jets, before homegrown model Gisele struts her stuff on the catwalk...
2016-08-06 01:12:57
HUNDREDS OF PAPSAKS?
Proceedings get underway with some sensational choreography, which sees about 400 dancers shaking and juggling giant, silver, pillow-esque balloons - they resemble empty papsaks.
2016-08-06 00:49:25
FROM PARTICIPANT TO PUNDIT!
Ryk Neethling is ready to cover the opening ceremony of the Rio Games, with all the fun and fanfare kicking off in about 10 minutes...
2016-08-06 00:32:37
TEAM SA'S FLAG-BEARER IS READY!
2016-08-05 13:09:42
BOLT ISSUES WARNING TO GATLIN
All friendly banter - or deadly serious?
The men's 100m final should be a cracker!
Click HERE to read what Mr Bolt had to say...2016-08-05 13:07:46
GALLERY: TEAM SA HIT RIO DE JANEIRO!
Click HERE to view the full gallery...2016-08-05 13:07:03
THINGS ARE GETTING SERIOUS IN RIO...
2016-08-05 13:04:24
BIG SA MEDAL PROSPECT...
2016-08-05 10:29:50
BOOM! LOOK WHO HAS TOUCHED DOWN IN RIO!
2016-08-05 10:19:22
JUST A REMINDER...
The Opening Ceremony for the 2016 Rio Olympics will start at 01:00 (SA time) on Saturday morning...
2016-08-05 10:18:49
HAVE YOUR SAY!
Got anything to add Olympics-wise?
If so, send us an email at mysport@sport24.co.za
2016-08-04 14:14:51
WHEN SEVENS MEETS TENNIS
New Zealand Sevens code-hopper Sonny Bill Williams bumped into tennis star Rafael Nadal while strolling around Rio.
And posted a picture to social media of course...
Click to see the picture...2016-08-04 14:12:55
OPENING CEREMONY FLAG BEARERS
Tennis star Andy Murray will carry the team GB flag, swimming superstar Michael Phelps will carry the Stars and Stripes and Wayde van Niekerk will be holding the Team SA flag.
Read more about Wayde van Niekerk...2016-08-04 14:02:17
POKEMON GO HITS BRAZIL
No medal on offer, but Japanese gymnast Kohei Uchimura was shocked to discover he had racked up a $5 000 cell phone bill playing Pokemon Go in Rio.
That's nearly R70 000!
Click HERE for more info...2016-08-04 14:00:07
AND THE MEDAL FOR HIGHEST PAID ATHLETE GOES TO...
Team USA basketball star Kevin Durant can count one Olympic title before the Rio Games begin - he's the highest paid athlete competing in Rio.
Click HERE to read the full article...2016-08-04 13:58:50
5 NEW SPORTS ADDED TO TOKYO 2020 OLYMPICS
The Olympic Games programme is growing!
The 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan will feature no fewer than FIVE new sports.
They are:
• Baseball/softball
• Karate
• Skateboarding
• Sports climbing
• Surfing
#stillnoloveforsquash
Read more about the 5 new sports in Tokyo...2016-08-04 13:56:49
REALISTICALLY SA'S FIRST MEDAL?
With all due respect to the others in action, Team SA's first realistic medal could come in the men's 100m breaststroke at 03:53 (SA time) on Monday morning.
That medal (hopefully gold... ) will come courtesy of Cameron van der Burgh
2016-08-04 13:55:08
MEDAL WINNERS?
2016-08-04 13:54:32
TEST YOUR OLYMPIC KNOWLEDGE!
Click HERE to take the quiz...2016-08-04 13:54:05
BANYANA BANYANA BEATEN
The first SA team in action in Rio was in fact the women's soccer side, who went down 1-0 to Sweden in their opening match.
Better luck next time, girls...
Click HERE for the match report...2016-08-04 13:52:22
WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING, WHEN?
Click HERE for the full Rio schedule...2016-08-04 13:47:24
TEAM SA INFOGRAPHIC
All you need to know about the 137-strong SA team competing in Rio.
2016-08-04 13:46:34
THE WAITING IS OVER!
London 2012 feels like it was, well, yesterday, but it's been four years since the last Olympics.
Over to you, Rio...
2016-08-04 13:45:54
WELCOME!
LIVE coverage and interactive commentary from Day 1 - Friday, August 5 - of the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games
