Full coverage: 2016 Rio Olympics

The build-up to the Rio Games has been dominated by a range of controversial issues. So for local residents, the opening of the gates at the Olympic Park is a significant moment, and marks the end of a long and sometimes painful journey for many inhabitants of the host city.

Heath concerns... Questions over readiness... a doping crisis. The Rio Olympics has endured a bruising build up. But for the thousands arriving at the Olympic Park, few were concerned with those issues.

For many of the locals, relief and pride that the Rio games had become a reality.