RIO DE JANEIRO -- With fireworks forming the word Rio in the sky, performers decked in silver and sweet, sultry music, Rio de Janiero is welcoming the world to the first Olympic Games in South America with a message: Lets take better care of our planet.After one of the roughest-ever rides from vote to games by an Olympic host, the city of beaches, carnival, grinding poverty and sun-kissed wealth lifted the curtain on the games of the 31st Olympiad with a three-hour gala that celebrated Brazils can-do spirit, biodiversity and its indigenous people. It will trace its history from forested land, through colonization by Portugal, and into a nation of astounding diversity and contrasts.Before the show, in a video broadcast inside the 78,000-seat Maracana Stadium, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the games celebrate the best of humanity and appealed for an Olympic truce, calling on all warring pries to lay down their weapons during the two weeks of sporting achievement.Performers decked in silvery suits folded and unfolded glittering silver sheets that transformed into giant cushions they then beat like drums. Fireworks lit up the skies and the peace symbol, tweaked into the shape of a tree, was projected on the floor of the stadium where Germany won the World Cup in 2014.As well as a showcase for Brazils history, culture, diversity and hopes, the gala also represents a triumph, because there were times after the International Olympic Committee selected Rio ahead of Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid in 2009 when it seemed that the city of 6.5 million people might not get its act together for the worlds greatest sporting mega-event.But with more than a dash of gambiarra, the Brazilian art of quick-fixes and making do, Rio de Janeiro is ready.Just.The honor of declaring the games open will fall to Michel Temer, Brazils unpopular interim president, standing in for suspended President Dilma Rousseff. Her ouster less than four months out from the games for alleged budget violations was one of the many complications that roiled Brazils Olympic preparations and impacted the opening ceremony itself. Fewer than 25 foreign heads of state were expected, with others seemingly staying away to avoid giving the impression of taking sides amid Brazils leadership uncertainty.As Brazilian officials took their places, there were shouts of out with Temer from sections of the crowd.Athletes from 205 nations and territories were set to march behind their flags. Theyll be joined by a first-ever Refugee Olympic Team of 10 athletes, displaced from Syria, South Sudan, Congo and Ethiopia. Their flag-bearer, Rose Nathike Lokonyen, fled war in South Sudan and ran her first race in a refugee camp in northern Kenya.Michael Phelps will lead the U.S. team, the largest with 549 competitors. Historys greatest Olympian will be looking to add to his record haul of 22 medals, in three individual swims plus relays, before the Aug. 21 closing ceremony.On behalf of all 11,288 competitors (6,182 men; 5,106 women), a Brazilian athlete will pledge an oath that they wont take banned drugs -- a promise likely to ring false to many fans after the scandal of government-orchestrated cheating in Russia.While it escaped a blanket ban, Russia is paying the price in the shape of a smaller team, whittled down from a 389 athletes to around 270.Iran picked a woman, archer Zahra Nemati, as flag-bearer for its team made up overwhelmingly of men.After the grandeur of Beijings opening ceremony in 2008 and the high-tech, cheeky inventiveness of Londons in 2012, Rios was expected to be more earthy, with funk, samba and joie de vivre laced with more serious messages from the country with the worlds largest forest, the Amazon, for the need to protect the planet. Grammy award winners Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil, and supermodel Gisele Bundchen were expected to star.The world is very tense and so is Brazil. We are also willing to tell the world to stop attacking our home. The world is threatened because of global warming. We are calling for action, said Fernando Meirelles, one of the directors of the show.After Brazils most famous athlete -- soccer star Pele -- said he will not appear, the Olympic mystery of who might light the cauldron remained intact.The cauldron was designed by American sculptor Anthony Howe, who told The Associated Press he was inspired by life in the tropics. There will be two cauldrons in Rio, one at the Maracana soccer stadium that is hosting the opening ceremony and another open to the public in downtown Rio.The cauldron in central Rio is expected to be lit by a runner after the opening ceremony is finished, Howe said.In all, 4,800 performers and volunteers will be involved in the show designed to showcase Brazil as a garden of the world.Smile is the approach the Brazilians have toward life, said Marco Balich, the executive producer. Brazil is not a grand nation. Theyre saying in this ceremony, we are who we are, with a lot of social problems, a lot of crises in the political system, etc.NBC will broadcast the opening ceremony on a one-hour tape delay because it wants the entertainment spectacle to be shown completely in U.S. prime time. Rio is one hour later than Eastern time. NMD Human Race Sverige . Andreas Johnson had a goal and two assists while Jacob de la Rose also scored for Sweden (2-0-0). Esa Lindell and Rasmus Ristolainen replied for Finland (1-1-0) Lindell opened the scoring for Finland just 41 seconds into the game, but the hosts quickly regained their composure and tied the score less than four minutes later on Wennbergs first of the game. Adidas NMD R1 Rabatt .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. http://www.nmdsverige.com/nmd-r2-adidas-skor/dam.html . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors. NMD Cs2 Sverige . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. Adidas NMD Sverige . Booth picked up 65 caps after making her national team debut in 2002 at the age of 17. She most recently played for Sky Blue FC of the National Womens Soccer League. "It just felt like it was my time to move on," she said in a phone interview from her hometown of Burlington, Ont. PHILADELPHIA -- Eagles veteran long-snapper Jon Dorenbos will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing wrist surgery Sunday night, head coach Doug Pederson announced.Dorenbos tied a franchise record Sunday by playing in his 162nd consecutive game -- a streak that began back in 2006. He pulled even with former wide receiver standout Harold Carmichael, who played with the Eagles from 1971 to 83.Hes one of the leaders of the team, so he is definitely going to be missed, Pederson said.The injury occurred during an Eagles punt in the third quarter when he was hit from behind by Washington Redskins linebacker Houston Bates. Dorenbos missed the remainder of the game after having his wrist examined on the sideline.No flag was thrown on the play.It looked on film like it was illegal. He kind of got him right in the shoulder, helmet [area], Pederson said Monday.He was replaced at first by tight end Brent Celek and then fellow tight end Trey Burton after Celek left with a stinger. A low snap by Celek cost the Eagles a chance at three points on a Caleb Sturgis field goal attempt in the second half.The Eagles are in the process of trying out long-snappers to take Dorenbos place. That group will include John DePalma, who was with the team during the offseason.Dorenbos second career as a magician has taken off following a long run on Americas Got Talent, where he was a finalist. He opted to wait to make that his full-time job, however, byy signing a three-year deal with the Eagles back in November.ddddddddddddIn other Eagles injury news, running back Darren Sproles remains in the concussion protocol following a vicious hit by Redskins safety Deshazor Everett during a punt return.Starting right guard Brandon Brooks missed his second game in three weeks with a game-day illness. Pederson expects him back at practice Wednesday, but the team will take steps to look further into what is ailing Brooks in hopes of getting the issue resolved.Thats something that we are going to continue to explore today with him, and just see. Its obviously unfortunate, but we need to get to the bottom of it and just find out why.Pederson said that Brooks will remain the starter, though rookie Isaac Seumalo will continue to get reps at right guard with the first team during practice.Fellow offensive lineman Matt Tobin suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain that could force him to miss the rest of the season. Rookie running back Wendell Smallwood has the same injury and is also an injured-reserve candidate, Pederson said. Safety Jaylen Watkins is also on the shelf with a torn ligament in his finger.Starting lineman Allen Barbre (hamstring) will miss Wednesdays practice, as will Celek. Receiver Dorial Green-Beckham (oblique) is expected to return after missing Sundays game. ' ' '