Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), was greeted at Rio International Airport early on Wednesday (27 July) morning by his counterpart at the Rio 2016 Organising committee, Carlos Nuzman, and host of smiling volunteers.

“You can already feel the Olympic energy here in the airport, in the city, with all the smiling volunteers full of excitement,” said the German.

The IOC president said that, because of the host nation and its people, he expects an Olympic Games full of passion and joy.

“There are high expectations because of the passion of Brazilians for sport, their joy of life, the fantastic venues we’re going to see – it will be a great Olympic atmosphere.”

The IOC president also expressed confidence that the final details are being well looked after as the world arrives in the host city. “There is always one issue or another to be solved in the last days before the Olympic Games," he said. "We’re looking forward to a great Games and we’ve always had confidence in Brazil and the Brazilians."

Bach and Nuzman pose with the volunteers at the airport (Photo: Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)