The countdown is almost over for the Olympic Opening Ceremony in Rio tonight.

The theme of the event will be diversity and having respect for people and the planet.

77 Irish athletes are taking part in this year's games in 14 different sports. Double Olympic bronze medalist Paddy Barnes will carry the tricolour and lead Team Ireland during the opening ceremony tonight

However Ireland's campaign has been overshadowed after 23 year old boxer Michael O'Reilly failed a drug test yesterday. The Portloaise based boxer is provisionally suspended.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has appealed for athletes to stay clean.

An estimated three billion people will watch the opening ceremony tonight, which has taken five years to produce and includes 300 dancers, 5,000 volunteers and 12,000 costumes.

Brazilian supermodel Giselle Bundchen is coming out of retirement especially for the occasion and there will also be an appearance from Oscar Winning actress Dame Judi Dench.

Kim Buckley has this report: