In pictures: Lighting of the cauldron at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics (16 images)

Former Olympian Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima had the honor of being the final torch bearer as he made his way up the staircase and lit the Olympic cauldron, officially kicking off the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 5, 2016.

Spectators erupt in excitement as the Olympic Cauldron is lit at the close of the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5, 2016. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI

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Brazilian tennis player Gustavo Kuerten carries the Olympic Torch at the close of the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5, 2016. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI

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Vanderlei Cordeiro runs with the Olympic torch before lighting the Olympic cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics begins in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 5, 2016. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

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Torch bearer Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima lights the Olympic Cauldron at the close of the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 5, 2016. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI

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