In Pictures: Rio offers colours, beauty, and grit at the 31st Olympic Games opening ceremony

Samba and Brazil are an inseparable pair just like football and Brazil. It only makes sense that colours and enthusiasm of the energetic dance form rubs off on the athletes from around the globe (Getty Images)

The greenery of the image indicated the thick blanket of Amazon rain forest. The Europeans came, like everywhere in the days of voyaging and exploring the world, proving Galileo right about the world being round. They changed Brazil forever. And the country remembers them at the opening ceremony. (Getty Images)

Rio has slum areas known as favela. The notorious places are being turned into a space suitable for the living. Favela is just as recognisable as Christ the redeemer or the beaches of Rio. (Getty Images)

Gisele represents the Brazilian beauty. She is Brazil's export to the fashion world. Gisele was part of the squad welcoming the world to enjoy the sporting extravaganza. Leading the way, showing the world what it means to be confident in your skin! (Getty Images)

The opening ceremony at its peak! (Getty Images)

Former athlete Vanderlei de Lima lights the Olympic Flame during the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium on August 5, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Getty Images)

The Olympic Cauldron is lit at the Olympic Boulevard for the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games. (Getty Images)

India's ace shooter Abhinav Bindra was the flag bearer at the opening ceremony for the 31st Olympic games at Rio. (Reuters)

Rafael Nadal missed out on quite a lot of important tennis tournaments due to his injuries. So one can only imagine the joy of participating in one of the world's biggest sporting event, representing one's country and be the flag bearer. Smile away, Rafa! (AFP)

Russian contingent was all smiles at the opening ceremony. Various athletes from the country have been banned for doping to enhance their performances. Russia managed to avoid blanket ban and is all set to win a few medals at Rio. (Getty Images)

Chinese contingent arrives wearing eye-popping red and yellow blazers! They are one of the strong contenders to top the medal tally. (Getty Images)

"With greatest respect, we welcome the refugee Olympic team. You are sending a message of hope to all the millions. Because of violence, hunger or just because you're different. You're making a great contribution to society. In this Olympic world, we do not just tolerate diversity, we welcome you as an enrichment to your uniqueness in diversity," said International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach (Getty Images)

Pita Nikolas Aufatofua, Tonga's first Olympic taekwondo athlete, entered the stadium bare-chested, with lot of oil on his torso, and wearing nothing but a ta'ovala (Tongan mat). You do the math. (Getty Images)

Competing for the fifth time, Michael Phelps lead the Ralph Lauren-clad US contingent into the Maracana Stadium for opening ceremony. They have the navy blazers, striped t-shirts, scarves, and the boat shoes! They are ready to sail away! (Getty Images)

If the USA contingent looked ready for yacht party, the Great Britain contingent was returning from one. Stella McCartney designed the outfits. Led by Andy Murray, the squad was wearing blazers clubbed with white shorts, red sneakers. Bringing attention to all the right places! (Getty Images)