Police fire tear gas at protesters outside Maracana Stadium

There were violent scenes outside the Maracana Stadium shortly before the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games on Friday evening.

Police fired tear gas at protesters gathered outside who were furious at the cost of the Games and the presence of the interim President Michel Temer, who has taken power as a result of impeachment proceedings against President Dilma Rousseff.

Heavily armed military was stationed on every bridge, road and street corner ahead of the ceremony.

In the video above, 9NEWS reporter Christine Ahern describes the “ring of steel” that surrounded the stadium.