Olympics Opening Ceremony 2016: Date, TV Guide and Known Performers

One of the greatest spectacles in sports is scheduled to take place Friday at the Olympic opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro.

The parade of participating nations can be lengthy, but it is also impressive because the nations of the world are coming together in a peaceful and athletic pursuit in these incredibly turbulent times.

The entertainers scheduled to perform are expected to deliver a show that has a significantly Brazilian flavor.

When: Friday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m. ET

Where: Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro

TV: NBC (8 p.m. ET)

The event will be televised on a tape-delayed basis. NBC held a press event last week as a precursor to its Olympic coverage, and chairman of NBC Sports Group Mark Lazarus offered an explanation as to why the network was not televising the event live.

"We think it's important to give context to the show," Lazarus said (h/t Cindy Boren of the Washington Post). "These opening ceremonies will be a celebration of Brazilian culture, of Rio, of the pageantry, of the excitement, of the flair this beautiful nation has. We think it's important that we are able to put that in context for the viewer so that it's not just a flash of color."

In addition to the parade of nations and the entertainment, the opening ceremony will also feature the lighting of the Olympic torch, the reading of the Olympic oath and other symbolic gestures that indicate the Olympic Games have started.

Legendary soccer star Pele could get the honor of lighting the torch, according to NBCOlympics.com

The opening ceremony in previous Olympics in locations like Beijing (2008) and London (2012) have been elaborate, and there's no reason to think Academy Award-nominated director Fernando Meirelles will tone it down in Rio.

Daily Mail columnist Caroline Graham quoted an unnamed source that the ceremony would be the "sexiest ever."

International model Gisele Bundchen will help sell that aspect, as she will enter the stadium to music played by Brazilian Paulo Jobim.

The list of performers includes Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Paulinho da Viola, Jorge Ben Jor and Luiz Melodia. These are all Brazilian stars who are expected to share their country's culture with the world.