The Greatest Show on Earth began, in spectacular fashion.

110,000 people, packed into Stadium Australia for the opening ceremony, chanted 10... 9... 8...7...6....

And bang on cue, to the count of a full-throated ZERO!, a lone horseman dressed up in rodeo attire rode into the centre of the stadium, all thundering hoofs and crackling whip.

Experience the rest of the show in pictures...

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