Let the Games begin.

Those four words have never been so important to an Olympics as this one.

Now that the action has started, it’s time to focus on the greatest quadrennial celebration of sport on the planet.

This could be one of the great Olympics of the modern era, memorable for all the right reasons.

Anna Meares leads the Australian team in the opening ceremony. Photo: Getty

Sure, there have been issues during the build-up, an almost comical level of problems for a host nation.

A presidential impeachment, as well as a second ex-president being charged. A myriad of construction issues and cost overruns, and social unrest as health and education funding runs short in Rio.

There’s been severe water quality problems for the aquatic sports, the emergence of the Zika virus and fears over rampant crime. Oh, and the largest doping scandal to hit the Olympics. Ever.

But for now, let’s give Rio, and Brazil, a chance.

Banners all over the city sum it up nicely – Rio 2016 – Um Novo Mundo (A new world).

This is the first Games in a developing country, and the first in South America, so of course it will be different to previous editions.

But that should be a reason for celebration, not fear or despair.

Macarana Stadium bursts into colour. Photo: Getty

And imagine what’s in store over the next 16 days.

This will be the last Olympics appearance of the greatest sprinter in history, with Usain Bolt aiming for a unprecedented third 100-200m double.

Justin Gatlin is the villain trying to spoil the Jamaican’s party, but whatever you think of the American’s past, his presence adds spice to the event.

In Brazil we love sport and we love to party. We know there are problems but that won’t stop us.
Rio volunteer

Michael Phelps suits up for his fifth Games, aiming to extend an extraordinary record.

While some Olympians joke about keeping their medals in a sock drawer, Phelps would need a wardrobe to house his collection of 22 medals.

Compatriot Katie Ledecky might hog the limelight in the pool though.

Already regarded by many as the greatest female swimmer of all time, Rio is a chance to cement her legacy.

Dutch sprinter Dafne Schippers could be a sensation at this event, Japanese gymnast Kohei Uchimura is always spellbinding to watch and American Simone Biles is his female counterpart.

Rugby Sevens gives the Pacific Island nations a rare chance at an Olympic medal while New Zealand’s teenage golfer Lydia Ko is set to be the biggest draw card in another sport making its Games debut.

In cycling, the Australian men’s team pursuit squad continue their great rivalry with the British four while the Hockeyroos should be podium contenders again.

Members of the Australia team enter the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the Rio Games.

What about the feel good story of Team Refugees, which includes two Syrian swimmers, five South Sudanese track athletes and two judokas from the Democratic Republic of Congo?

Or Tuvalu’s Etimoni Timuani, the only one-team athlete at this Games.

But if you want a measure of how special the Olympics are, it could be this – it has the power to turn unfashionable sports into riveting spectacles.

You can be transfixed watching fencing or archery, shooting or greco-roman wrestling, something that only happens across this fortnight.

But most of all, these games are likely to be remembered for the magical spirit of the hosts.

As one local journalist put it, “Brazil is not just going to host the Games. Brazil is going to live the Games.”

The Cariocas of Rio have an warmth and joie de vivre that is infectious, an enthusiasm to embrace life and a redoubtable pride in their nation.

It’s an intoxicating and passionate mix.

“In Brazil we love sport and we love to party,” Silmara, a local volunteer told me.

“We know there are problems but that won’t stop us. We want to show everyone that Rio is the best city in the world.”

Michael Burgess is a freelance journalist who is covering the Olympics from Rio for The New Daily. He was inside the Macarena Stadium for the opening ceremony.