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The 2016 Olympic Games will kick off in Rio de Janeiro following Friday’s hotly anticipated opening ceremony. Featuring filmmakers, fireworks, and more, this guide reveals everything there is to know about the Rio opening ceremony—so far.
1. You can watch the four and a half hour event on Abu Dhabi Sports 1, 3, and 4HD at 2:45 AM on Saturday (which is 7:45 PM on Friday in Rio).
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2. Best known for his movies City of God and The Constant Gardener, Brazilian filmmaker Fernando Meirelles is the opening ceremony’s creative director—a role he shares with two other Brazilian filmmakers. The event will highlight the vibrant culture and history of Brazil.
3. Due to the country’s ongoing economic crisis, the budget for Rio’s opening ceremony is 10 times less than that of London’s in 2012. However, Meirelles has promised a beautiful ceremony regardless.
4. The Rio Carnival, which is considered the biggest annual carnival in the world, will carry over to the celebration.
5. The event is set to boast 2,000 light guns, 6,600 pounds of fireworks, and 12,000 costumes. An expected 900 million people will tune in from around the world.
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6. Model Gisele Bündchen will reportedly be robbed during the ceremony. According to dress rehearsal witnesses, the Brazilian beauty will be accosted by an actor playing a thief, and will then be chased around the stadium by police officers.
7. 12,000 torchbearers will pass through Brazil. The final person to light the Olympic cauldron and signal the beginning of the Games will not be revealed until the very last minute, however, it is presumed that the honor will go to retired Brazilian soccer legend Pelé.
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8. The Olympic cauldron will be lit inside the Maracanā Stadium. The structure was built for the 1950 World Cup, and later renovated for the 2014 edition. It is also where the closing ceremony will be held.
9. Brazilian models Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio will be in attendance.
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