10 moments not to be missed at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Bolt’s bid for immortality, beach volleyball at Copacabana, the return of golf and rugby, Neymar v Messi… what do you want to see?
Usain Bolt, already hugely popular in Rio, could raise the roof of the Olympic Stadium if he completes the ‘triple-triple’ (IOC)
Tickets are on sale and the competion schedule is published, but what will be the magical moments that define the Rio 2016 Olympic Games? We’ve listed a few suggestions...
OPENING CEREMONY
On Friday 5 August 2016, the curtain will come up on the first Olympic Games in South America. About 10,500 of the world’s best athletes will proudly march around the Maracanã (seen below during the 2014 FIFA World Cup). Fireworks will light up the sky. Performers will dance their hearts out. But who will perform the live music? And who will light the Olympic cauldron?
(Photo: Getty Images/Buda Mendes)
FIRST GOLD MEDAL
China won the first gold at Athens 2004 and London 2012 (Yi Siling, below), while the Czech Republic topped the first podium at Beijing 2008. Who will it be in Rio? As in the last three Games, the first medal will be won in shooting – in the women’s 10m air rifle, on 6 August at the Deodoro Olympic Park.
(Photo:Getty Images/Lars Baron)
COPACABANA CALLING
Divers somersaulting off the 10m platform with Barcelona spread out below in 1992. Triathlon in front of the Sydney Opera House in 2000. The Olympic Games are all about great sport in iconic locations. Add to that list Copacabana beach in 2016. The action will begin on Saturday 6 August, when beach volleyball (from 10am until almost 1am) and the men’s cycling road race will take place along the famous sands. Bring your sun block.
(Photo: Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)
FIRST BRAZILIAN MEDALLIST
Everybody knows the Olympic Games are better when the hosts do well, and the good news for Brazilians is they are unlikely to have to wait too long. There will be medal events in seven sports on 6 August, the first full day of competition, with Brazil strong contenders for glory in swimming and judo (Sarah Menezes, below, took gold on day one at London 2012).
(Photo: Getty Images/Alexander Hassenstein)
RUGBY’S RIOTOUS RETURN
Rugby returns to the Olympic Games after 92 years in the seven-a-side form of the game that is packed with samba-style footwork, explosive bursts of speed and lashings of bone-crunching tackles. Not to mention the fancy dress. Fans of rugby sevens are renowned for creating a carnival atmosphere and what better place to do so than in Rio? The action starts in Deodoro on 6 August.
(Photo: Getty Images/Cameron Spencer)
GOLF BACK IN THE FOLD
Golf is also returning to the Olympic Games as a totally different beast. At the Paris 1900 and St Louis 1904 Games, only men took part and just five nations were represented. The Rio Games will feature 60 male and 60 female golfers, with current world no.1 Rory McIlroy (below) likely to be one of the stars. Tee off is on 11 August.
(Photo: GettyImages/David Cannon)
FASTEST MAN IN THE POOL
In the late-night session at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on 12 August, the fastest man in the Olympic pool will be defined. The defending champion is France’s Florent Manaudou, who finished ahead of the USA’s Cullen Jones and Brazil’s two-time world champion Cesar Cielo in London. Cielo holds the world record and will be desperate to take gold in home waters.
(Photo: Getty Images/Jamie Squire)
BOLT GOES FOR THE ‘TRIPLE-TRIPLE’
Six-time Olympic champion, eight-time world champion and world record holder in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m, adored around the world for his charisma and showmanship – what’s left for Usain Bolt to achieve? The ‘triple-triple’, that’s what. If the Jamaican manages to defend the 100m and 200m titles he won in Beijing and London, the crowning moment would come in the relay final at the Olympic Stadium on the evening of 19 August.
(Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
BRAZIL AND ARGENTINA BATTLE FOR FOOTBALL GOLD
The men’s Olympic football tournament is shaping up to be beauty. Hosts Brazil are desperate to win a first gold medal and Neymar appears certain to lead the charge, with the final at the Maracanã on 20 August. And who is most likely to stand in Brazil’s way? Argentina. Possibly with Neymar's Bercelona team-mate, Lionel Messi.
(Photo: Alex Caparros/GettyImages)
MARATHON FINISH AT THE SAMBÓDROMO
The moment when the first marathon runner enters the stadium is always guaranteed to provoke goose bumps. And in Rio, the venue will be the Sambódromo – stage of Rio Canival, the most colourful party in the world. The women go on 14 August, the men on 21 August, the final day of the Games.
