Highlights from the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics (32 images)

With great pomp and circumstance, the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics kicks off, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the host nation, Brazil, on August 5, 2016.

A couple celebrates with a kiss during 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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Michael Phelps holds the American flag as he leads the United States in the arena at the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics begins in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 5, 2016. Photo by Terry Schmitt/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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Members of the Chinese Olympic team (women in yellow, men in red) enter the Maracana Stadium during the Parade of Nations as part 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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