Better late than never for Aussie 8 rowers

On the night the world's best athletes marched into Rio's Maracana stadium, Australia's women's eight rowing crew were just happy to be at the airport.

The crew touched down on Friday night, less than two weeks after learning they were eligible to complete at the Olympics.

The women's eight failed to qualify for the Games, but replaced Russia's crew after they were banned by rowing's international governing body.

The Australian Olympic Team tweeted on Friday night (Saturday AEST) photographs of the athletes' arrival in Brazil ahead of the first week of competition.

"Our rowing section is complete, the Women's Eight have arrived in Rio," the team tweeted.