Inside Rio 2016

The summer Olympic Games return in 2016, with the world of sport set to party on down to Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium for the opening ceremony on 5th August.

The 17-day event will make history for the modern games, as they grace the South American continent for the first time in their 120-year existence. With Rio bracing itself to host millions of people from around the world for the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and a host of other events in and around the city's beaches and bars, 2016 promises an unforgettable spectacle.

Faster, higher, stronger

Rio's games are the 28th modern summer games to take place since the maiden event in Athens in 1896. Around 10,500 athletes from over 200 countries will vie for a share of gold, silver and bronze across 306 separate medal events.

In addition to staging established events such as discus, long jump and the captivating 100-metre sprint, two events that return to the Rio Olympics' roster after a combined absence of over two centuries are rugby ‒in a sevens tournament format ‒and golf.

A total workforce of over 210,000 people will be spread across 32 competition venues, from the Maracana to the famous fort overlooking Copacabana beach, to ensure the smooth running of every event and the maximum enjoyment for every Olympic guest.

Paralympic Games

7th September 2016 sees the return of Paralympic competition, which will see close to 4,500 disabled athletes compete over 11 days of action. The event sees the continuation of the tradition of physically-impaired athletes testing themselves in gruelling competition.

Para-athletes first competed on an unfair playing field against able-bodied opponents in Dr Ludwig Gutmann's Stoke Mandeville Games for injured war veterans, while Rome 1960 was the first Paralympic Games.

56 years later Rio has vowed to put on the greatest Paralympic event ever, with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) hopeful of treating a record four billion spectators to a record number of events, including the new canoe and triathlon events.

Transport and leisure

A wide array of over and underground transport arteries link the various competition venues and leisure facilities spread across the four city regions that will play host to events.

While Copacabana boasts its famous beach and the statue of Christ the Redeemer, travelling inland to Deodoro affords trips to the Gilberto Gil Cultural Centre and the city's Aerospace Museum.

The spectacles of the Olympic Games and the city of Rio de Janeiro are a perfect match, with city officials promising to maximise the enjoyment and safety of their summer guests.