Rio de Janerio on Thursday will become the first South American country to host the Summer Olympics.
Brazil on Thursday will become the first South American country to host the Summer Olympics. When the torch lights the cauldron in front of thousands present at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro and millions watching on tv, it would officially mark the beginning of the 2016 Summer Olympics. According to officials, the ceremony won’t be the grandest, in comparison to London or Beijing, but graceful and heart warming. This Olympics will see 205 countries participating in 306 events in 37 venues. The competition venues will be clustered in four zones: Barra, Copacabana, Deodoro and Maracana. Let us have a look at the four mentioned zones-
Maracanã: The stadium at Maracanã has always been popular among Soccer fans. It hosted the famous 1950 World cup, where Brazil suffered a heart-wrenching loss to Uruguay in the finals. Ranked as Brazil’s largest sports arena, it hosts several Rio teams and has a popular sports museum. The stadium will host the Olympics opening ceremony along with the Soccer games. Sambódromo, known for its Carnival Pride, will host the competitions of Archery and the Marathon. Other venues in Maracanã will play host to track and field events.
Deodoro: The region lies farthest from Rio’s city centre. Located in western Rio de Janerio, its green spaces make it an ideal place for events like Penthalion, equestrian competitions, shooting, mountain biking among other sports.
Copacabana: Copacabana beach is undoubtedly the best place to play beach volleyball. The Olympic organisers couldn’t simply agree more. Apart from the beach volleyball, the neighbourhood will play host marathon swimming, road cycling and the triathlon. Just a few blocks away from the neighbourhood, canoe and rowing competitions are to take place at the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. Marina da Glória will stage the Sailing competition.
Barra: The neighbourhood, know as Barra da Tijuca, will be the centre of attraction, when it come to venues this summer. The mangroves, the swamps, lagoons, beaches and the mountains of the Tijuca Forest, Barra will provide a home to the Athletes Village and Riocentro. The stadiums here will host basketball, wrestling, swimming and diving, and at least a dozen other sports. Barra’s newly constructed Golf Course marks the return of the sport to the Olympics for the first time, in a century.
The Competition begins Wednesday with women’s soccer at noon. The three-time defending gold medalists from the United States will open against New Zealand.
