Brazil ignites the samba spirit! Rio Olympics is off with a bang but only after opening ceremony with empty seats, climate change lectures and ugly protests outside

Rio's Olympic Games has officially begun after an Opening Ceremony featuring the supermodel Gisele Bundchen, carnival-style dancing (center) and a dazzling light display.


But many were left unimpressed by Brazil's cut-price ceremony, costing around half that of London's in 2012, claiming the spectacle was boring. The Maracana Stadium has a capacity of 80,000 but it was clear that many had stayed away. It erupted in loud cheers for Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian ever, carrying in the Stars and Stripes (inset) at the head of Team USA. Organizers highlighted the Brazilian skill for making something spectacular out of very little, and it was clear the show was on a far tighter budget than previous ceremonies, particularly when former marathon runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima lit a small cauldron at the conclusion of the ceremony (left). Outside protesters defied massive security to demonstrate against the Games and the government - and there were ugly scenes close to the stadium where police used tear gas against a group which had burned a Brazil t-shirt (bottom right). Organizers had hoped the four-hour ceremony would put problems of Zika, economic downturn and political chaos behind the Rio Games.