DOVES AND KITES: SYMBOLS OF PEACE AND HOPE
Two hundred children run into stadium carrying white kites, while thousands of paper doves fall from the sky.

Inside each of these kites, children from Rio de Janeiro to Nairobi have written their ambitions for a peaceful, safe world. They remind us: “Peace is loving what is different,” and “All dreams are of peace".

Even more adorable is the little girl trailing at the back of the group, who is roared along as if she were Usain Bolt as she completes her lap of the Maracana.

This is the signal for Acting President Temer to declare the Rio 2016 Olympic Games... OPEN!!!

WORLDWIDE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR KIPCHOGE KEINE
The first Olympic Laurel, a new award to recognise notable contributions to the Olympic movement, is given to Kenyan Kipchoge Keine, who houses, feeds and educates orphans in his home country.

'BOA NOITE, CARIOCAS'
Thomas Bach addressed the Maracana crowd with the distinct accent of the cariocas, the residents of Rio de Janeiro, and wished them good evening.

"This is the moment for the cidade maravilhosa, the first Olympic Games in South America. The organizing committee and all Brazlilians can be proud today. 

"Our admiration for you is even greater because you managed to do all of this in a difficult time in Brazilian history. We have always believed in you.

"Your passion for sport and your joie de vivre... have impressed us."

Bach praised the thousands of Brazilians and hundreds more who have travelled to Rio de Janeiro to dedicated their time and energy to Rio 2016. "The best ambassadors for the Games are the thousands of volunteers."

"BRAZIL WELCOMES THE WORLD WITH OPEN ARMS"
Rio 2016 president Carlos Nuzman is adressing the world: "I am speaking to the whole planet, five continents, we welcome you to Rio, the Olympic city. The Olympic dream is now an Olympic reality. The best place in the world is here and now. Brazil welcomes the world with open arms."

MODERN MAJOR GENERAL
She does five sports and still has energy to carry the flag for Brazil. The impressive modern pentathlete and gold-medal hope on home turf, Yane Marques was voted her country's flag-bearer. 

The London 2012 bronze-medal winner has mastered the five disciplines of an exemplary late-19th century soldier: fencing, freestyle swimming, show jumping, pistol shooting and cross-country running. 

How appropriate, considering Marques is a member of the Brazilian army, holding the rank of sergeant.

INSPIRATION
The refugee team was led out by flagbearer Rose Nathike Lokonyen, who left South Sudan with her family and arrived in Kenya's Kakuma refugee camp in 2002, where she used to train in bare feet. Read more about her story here.

Also amongst the group is Yusra Mardini, the 18-year-old who helped to save the lives of 20 of her fellow refugees when their boat started to sink whilst crossing between Turkey and Greece. Read more here.

NOT A DRY EYE IN THE HOUSE
This is truly special moment as the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team enters Maracana.

They are five runners from South Sudan, two swimmers from Syria, two judokas from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a marathon runner from Ethiopia.

These athletes, who have been training with their host countries — in some cases where they sought asylum — are now being provided a full support group to compete at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Cheer them every step of the way. Their journey has been long and difficult. 

Read their message of hope.

CLOAKED IN MAORI POWER AND PRIDE
New Zealand cloaks itself in the power of a kakahu during the opening ceremony. The Maori garment, said one of the New Zealand flag-bearers Peter Burling, carries team pride and history.

"It's pretty special to be wearing that with all the past flagbearers that have worn it before. It just brings the mana of everyone that's gone in this team before," said the sailor.

NUMBER CRUNCHER 1
Check out the breakdown by gender

READY FOR A RECAP?

More on those funky bikes... they were created by designers Pedro Garavaglia and Olivia Ferreira of the Radiográfico design studio in Rio, with the help of Carnival artist Rossy Amoêdo. Check out this video about how they were made...

TRESSES TO IMPRESS
Jamaica flag-bearer Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce could become the first athlete to win three Olympic gold medals in the 100m event. Her compatriot, Usain Bolt, would follower in her footsteps if he accomplishes the same feat.

For the occasion, the sprinter went for locks to match her flag.

"I got my hair dyed green and yellow for the team," she said before walking into Maracana. "My friend in Miami did it and it took about three hours."

THE INCLUSION GAMES
The Rio 2016 Games are all about inclusion, and five of the colourful cyclists (see post at 9.58pm) are transgender women. One of them, Lea T, is one of Brazil’s top models and the daughter of the former Brazil football player Toninho Cerezo. "It’s essential that diversity is present," she said. 

Read more: Who is Lea T?

(A SECRET BETWEEN US)
Here at Rio2016-dot-com headquarters, we'll reveal a little secret...

Portugal has so far drawn the largest cheers from the international staff in our newsroom. (The one Canadian did her best, Rosie, I promise!)

We'll report back when Brazil enters Maracana, which they will be the last to do as the host country.

KELMENDI'S DREAM COME TRUE
A special moment for the athletes and people of Kosovo, as it competes for the first time at the Olympic Games under its own flag. The athletes competed under the flag of Albania at London 2012. Flag bearer and judoka, who is a favourite for gold, Majlinda Kelmendi explains the significance. 

"I have dreamed of that for such a long time, for so many years," said Kelmendi. "It is a historical moment for my country and for me. It is very motivating for me.

"It is completely different from London. Albania is Albania, Kosovo is Kosovo. Of course, we are the same people and speak the same language, but we are two different countries.

"It is a very special moment, especially for the older generation in Kosovo. They have survived wars, they went through such hard times and what is happening today has been a dream for a long time for all people in Kosovo."