Rio Olympics 2016: Long-awaited event kicks off with women's football tournament

South Africa versus Sweden in Rio will herald the start of the 2016 Games.

As is customary, the sporting action at this summer's Olympic Games will actually begin before the opening ceremony on Friday (5 August). The eagerly-awaited football competition starts early to accommodate all of the group games, meaning the first Olympians in action will be the South African and Swedish women's teams.

Catch up all on the Rio 2016 Olympics news from IBTimes UK

Where to watch

The BBC is showing live coverage of South Africa versus Sweden via their website from 16:45 BST, while updates of the opening game are also available via BBC Radio 5.

The events to watch

In addition to the opening football match of the Olympics from the Joao Havelange Olympic Stadium in Rio, the first day of competition will see Brazil's women play against China at the same venue. Elsewhere, defending champions the United States are poised to face New Zealand in Belo Horizonte at 23:00 BST.

Other matches on the opening day include Canada versus Australia, as well as Zimbabwe versus Germany.

Brit to watch

As Great Britain do not play football at the Olympics, because the home nations cannot agree on how to combine, no British athletes will be in action on the opening day. In fact, the London Olympics was the only time they have entered a football team since 1960.

Full schedule