SHOOTING JOHN DOE NEW YORK, N.Y. 2016 GUIDE TO THE GAMES The People, Places and Stories to Watch in Brazil RIO 2016 ABOUT RIO City to Serve up its Signature Beauty, Culture and Celebration Style © RIO 2016 © RIO 2016 If you’ve traveled south to wide tourists? If its history is ture necessary to welcome mer sun. have been made to minimize Rio de Janeiro, you under- any indication, it will be a large crowds. This includes Olympians may get a few social inequality and mod- stand its importance to Brazil grand host to the largest accommodations, lodging breaks, as the coastal areas ernize the economy of Rio. as an absolute hotspot for sporting event in the world. and destinations within the are cooler than those situated Special initiatives are under tourism. An expansive sea- center of the city. Rio served inland. This is due to the way to advance these goals, side city, Rio is such an inter- A CELEBRATION FIT as a host city for the 2014 cooling breeze blowing in and hopefully hosting an national draw because of its FOR THE OLYMPICS FIFA World Cup, welcoming from the Atlantic Ocean. No attraction as large as the beautiful beaches and vibrant Rio is no stranger to rolling millions of fans from around matter the temperature, fans Olympics will only help the city center. out the red carpet. Every year, the world. of the Olympics will be treat- city and country achieve But in August of 2016, Rio its raucous Carnival festival ed to a gorgeous setting. these objectives. will be known for its perfor- features parade floats, flam- THE CLIMATE Sprawling vegetation and roll- Opportunities for jobs or mance as the host city of the boyant costumes and tourists AND LANDSCAPE ing rainforests will serve as volunteering also may help Summer Olympic Games from across the globe. The Rio is hot for most of the the perfect backdrop to an inject some economic pros- (Aug. 5- 21; Paralympic second largest city in Brazil, year, and rain is frequent international event of this perity within the city of Rio. Games scheduled for Sept. Rio is known for its ability to from December through magnitude. Many of the 100,000 people 7-18). How will the bustling throw a great party. March. August is generally a directly involved in delivering city bursting with culture and With a slew of cultural and dry, hot month, making it a SOCIAL IMPROVEMENTS the games — including 70,000 personality handle the extra historical attractions, Rio has perfect place for athletes to According to the country of volunteers — will be from the attention and influx of world- implemented the infrastruc- strut their stuff in the sum- Brazil’s website, major efforts Rio area. RIO 2016 OPENING CEREMONY Celebration May be Scaled Back but Still Reflect Country’s Culture Olympic opening ceremonies typically feature flashy displays, such as this scene from Sochi in 2014. © IOC Do you enjoy watching the economic situation is draw- place on the evening of recession, making this a THE STADIUM Summer Olympic Games ing major attention in Friday, Aug. 5 in Maracanã challenging time to ade- The Maracanã Stadium opening ceremonies nearly as today’s global economy. Stadium. The proceedings will quately host an Olympics played host to the 2014 much as the athletic events? Just because it may not include welcoming speeches, event of this magnitude. The World Cup, showing off its You may be in for a treat this rival London or Beijing in hoisting of the flags and the planning committee for the new one-tier seating bowl. summer. No one throws a terms of expense, however, parade of athletes with an opening ceremony has esti- There have been many other party quite like Rio de doesn’t mean the opening artistic spectacle to showcase mated that the Rio event will changes made to the stadi- Janeiro, so experts predict ceremony will be any less Rio’s vivacious culture. cost about one-10th of what um to get it ready for global one of the most vibrant, cul- extravagant. Rio has an The creative directors for London spent on its grand events such as the Olympics. turally focused opening cere- expanse of history and cul- the ceremony are two summer kickoff in 2012. Fans also may notice a monies in recent memory. tural diversity from which to Brazilian-renowned film There will be no complex new roof that covers 95 per- But officials have made it draw to put on one of the directors, giving fans hope aerial equipment or disap- cent of the seats in the stadi- clear that if you’re looking for best shows the Olympics has that their expectations will be pearing stages. The focus um. uber-expensive props and ever seen. met. will be on the performers These changes have all graphic effects, you may be and their lively costumes — been part of a larger effort to disappointed. Rio is getting WHEN & WHERE? A STRIPPED DOWN sure to be comprised of improve the facilities at the back to the basics, especially The opening ceremony of CEREMONY? bright colors and unique forefront of the Olympic during a time when its socio- the 2016 Olympics will take Brazil has been mired in a features. experience. RIO 2016 A LOOK AT THE VENUES Rio and Surrounding Areas to Welcome Athletes, Spectators © RIO 2016 © RIO 2016 Just as unique as the athletes battling it out for gold medal supremacy at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the 32 host venues have © RIO 2016 distinct personalities and stories all their legendary Maracanã stadium one of the stages for the soc- TIPS FOR ATTENDING you may have to wait for a own. will host the decisive match- cer tournament. Temporary THE GAMES break to enter. es of the Olympics soccer extra seating expanded the Planning to attend the • Avoid carrying bags to Rio de Janeiro is home to tournaments and two of the capacity and the running Olympics? The International speed up your entrance. those venues, with another Games’ most-watched track was completely updat- Olympic Committee has these • Identify children with five football co-host cities events: the opening and clos- ed ahead of the games. tips: bracelets made available at across Belo Horizonte, ing ceremonies. The stadium Sambódromo: Usually the • Do not forget your tickets the public information desks. Brasília, Manaus, Salvador was recently modernized for traditional setting for parades and check the date, time and • Look for the Rio 2016 and São Paulo. the 2014 World Cup, so fans during Carnival, the place of competitions on the team members wearing green Here is a quick look at a should be in for a treat. Sambódromo will host website before leaving (www. — they are there to help you. few of the most well-known Olympic Stadium: Built for archery and the marathon for rio2016.com). • No smoking at venues. stadiums set to host individ- the 2007 Pan American the games. Recent upgrades • Check the weather fore- • Download the official app ual and team events in Games, the Olympic Stadium to the facility included struc- cast and prepare accordingly. to stay tuned to everything August: will be home to an assort- tural improvements and • Arrive early, because if the that happens during the Maracanã Stadium: The ment of athletic events and brand new stands. session has already started, Games. RIO 2016 TEAM REFUGEE Displaced Athletes Given a Team of Their Own to Realize Olympic Dreams President Bach was joined by two members of the Refugee Olympic Team as they visited what will be their rooms in the Olympic Village. Popole Misenga and Yolande Bukasa Mabika are judokas from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and are living in Brazil after being granted © RIO 2016 refugee status. Hoping to bring attention to the despite the unimaginable tragedies • Rose Nathike Lokonyen (female), name for themselves on the grand refugee crises impacting countries that they have faced, anyone can South Sudan, 800-meter; stage. and human beings across the world, contribute to society through their • Paulo Amotun Lokoro (male), Wondering how the logistics of an the 2016 Summer Olympic Games talent, skills and strength of the South Sudan, 1500-meter; all-refugee team will work? Here are will feature a first-of-its-kind human spirit.” • Yolande Bukasa Mabika (female), some details on what the team will Refugee Olympic Team. The unit is Democratic Republic of the Congo, experience at the games, according set to march with the Olympic flag WHO’S WHO? judo; to the IOC: immediately before host nation Here are the 10 athletes represent- • Yusra Mardini (female), Syria, • The team will be housed in the Brazil at the opening ceremony. ing the Refugee Olympic Team: swimming; and Olympic Village like all the other When the team was announced in • Rami Anis (male), Syria, swim- • Popole Misenga (male), teams; June, International Olympic ming; Democratic Republic of the Congo, • The team will get its own wel- Committee President Thomas Bach • Yiech Pur Biel (male), South judo. come ceremony at the Olympic issued in a statement: “These refu- Sudan, 800-meter; Village; gees have no home, no team, no • James Nyang Chiengjiek (male), THE TEAM’S DREAM • The team uniforms will be pro- flag, no national anthem. We will South Sudan, 400-meter; These athletes may not have had a vided by the IOC; and offer them a home in the Olympic • Yonas Kinde (male), Ethiopia, chance to participate in past • For all official representations of Village together with all the athletes marathon; Olympics. The 2016 addition of a ref- the team, the Olympic flag will be of the world.