Where: Rio de Janeiro is the host of the 31st Olympiad and it is the first South American city to ever host the Olympics. Rio is Brazil’s second biggest city, by population size, with over 6.3 million people within the city.
Who is Competing: A record 206 countries and more than 10,000 athletes will compete at 32 different venues in Rio, split in four main locations. In addition, football matches will be played in stadiums in Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Manaus, Salvador and Sao Paulo.
Schedule:
The Olympics officially start with the opening ceremony on Friday, August 5th, at Maracanã Stadium. But some events will actually begin August 3rd, with women’s football starting that day, followed by men’s football on August 4th.
The Games continue through Sunday, August 21.
Opening Ceremony:
The opening ceremony will take place at Maracanã Stadium and will begin at 8:00PM (Brazil Time, 7:00PM EST). Those watching in the United States will see an edited broadcast of the ceremony on a one-hour delay, as per NBC, citing a desire to provide “context” for its viewers ahead of time.
On 15 July 2016, it was announced that Anitta, Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil would perform during the opening ceremony. Gil and Veloso had also participated as creative advisors for the ceremony. Their involvement is meant to reflect the “best” in Brazilian music. Brazilian model Gisele Bündchen will take part in the opening ceremony as well.
The Olympic cauldron will be lit inside the Maracanã. The Rio Organizing Committee plan to move the Olympic cauldron to a public location near Porto Maravilha following the opening ceremony, most likely near the Candelária Church. Mayor of Rio Eduardo Paes wants the cauldron to be placed closer to the “heart” of the port, which had been revitalized as a legacy project for the Games.
While not yet officially announced, many expect the great football player Pele to light the cauldron.
About Brazil Tourism:
With its spectacular beaches, lush rain forests, rich culture, exotic cuisine and exciting nightlife, Brazil is one of the most compelling destinations to visit today. With a beautiful, tropical climate, Brazil is an easily accessible, exotic get-away for couples, families and business travelers.
Brazil Tourism has two websites available for more information: