PHOTOS: Rio 2016 flag bearers

It's about the athletes at Rio Olympics.

And the Opening ceremony is always a grand display designed to impress with spectacle.

Athletes from 207 countries were present for the Parade of Nations, with the most prominent being those who bear the flag for each country and other contingent.

Rio Olympics, on Rediff.com

Rediff.com presents the most popular flag bearers. Take a look...

IMAGE: Michael Phelps of the United States carries the flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

Michael Phelps grinned broadly as he walked into Maracana Stadium, waving the American flag over his head as he officially led the United States into the 2016 Olympics.

IMAGE: Pita Nikolas Aufatofua of Tonga carries the flag during the Opening Ceremony. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

Tonga flag bearer Pita Taufatofua was shirtless. He was all oiled up too.

IMAGE: Flag bearer Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica leads her team. Photograph: Paul Gilham/Getty Images.

IMAGE: Sergei Tetiukhin of Russia carries the flag during the Opening Ceremony. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Image.

IMAGE: Flag bearer Rafael Nadal of Spain leads his team. Photograph: Paul Gilham/Getty Images.

IMAGE: Flag bearer Andy Murray of Great Britain leads the team entering the stadium during the Opening Ceremony. Photograph: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images.

IMAGE: Flag bearer Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark . Photograph: Paul Gilham/Getty Images.

IMAGE: Olympic Flag bearers Marta Vieira, Ellen Gracie, Sandra Pires Tavares, Oscar Schmidt, Joaquim Cruz, Rosa Celia Pimental, Torben Grael, and Emanuel Rego carry the flag together during the Opening Ceremony. Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images.

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