At the opening ceremony two figures from the sport of athletics played a key role : Olympic medallist in the marathon , Vanderlei de Lima , lit the Olympic flame for his home nation , while Kenya 's Kipchoge Keino became the first recipient of the Olympic Laurel for his efforts in promoting sport . Unlike most Summer Olympic Games , the athletics stadium was not the venue for the opening or closing ceremonies in Rio de Janeiro – that honour went to Brazil 's foremost soccer venue , the Maracanã Stadium
opening ceremony
2016 Summer Olympics opening ceremony
Athletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics