The 31st Summer Olympic cauldron was lit in Rio de Janeiro’s legendary Maracana stadium marking the start of the most expected sporting event of the last four years.

About 74 thousands spectators were present during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games held in South America for the first time. Before the start of the official ceremony the organizers presented Brazil’s history through modern computer design.

Afterwards, athletes from 205 countries of the world made an honorary circle in the stadium. Armenia’s flag bearer was swimmer Vahan Mkhitaryan. Armenia is represented by 33 athletes.

The president of the IOC, Thomas Bach, and the president of the Rio-2016 Organising Committee, Carlos Nuzman, welcomed the athletes urging them to remain faithful to the Olympic ideology. The honor of lighting the Olympic cauldron was given to Olympic bronze and “Pierre de Coubertin’’ medalist Cordeiro de Lima.