Most British athletes will not be at opening ceremony

Most British athletes will not participate on Friday in the opening ceremony of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana stadium due to logistical issues, confirmed team members.

The chief executive of the British Olympic Association (BOA, for its acronym in English) explained that some athletes are still training in Belo Horizonte and other competing few hours after the inauguration, so it was decided to march with just a few dozen athletes.

"It will be a fairly small delegation. The athletes march will be about 55, more or less. Since the team total is 366 athletes is a fairly small number, but their priorities are in the competition," said Bill Sweeney told reporters in Olympic Park on Monday.

The head of the British delegation, Mark England, hopes the golfer Justin Rose and Olympic-champion Andy Murray 2012- are among athletes attending the ceremony. Australia also carry a small delegation to the inauguration, with only a third of its contingent of 410 athletes present at the opening.

The interim president of Brazil, Michel Temer, declared open the first Games in South America Friday in a televised ceremony culminates with the lighting of the Olympic flame.

Four years ago, the opening ceremony of London 2012, with thousands of athletes in the parade and at times surrealistic presentation was seen by some 900 million people worldwide. Beijing opening saw 1,200 million viewers.

The Olympic Village is located about 30 kilometers from the stadium, which means that those involved in the ceremony would have a two-hour trip in total and several more waiting before returning to their buildings at dawn.

The competitions start early the next morning, with ratings rowing and shooting at 07.30 local time. The cycling road race, delivering the first medal of the Games, also runs on Saturday and the Olympic pool will see many hours of swimming events.