Live Site and Main Press Centre for Rio 2016 Games unveiled in Barra Olympic Park
Outdoor entertainment area for 25,000 fans and base for the world’s media inaugurated by members of IOC Coordination Commission
Musicians, performers and big screens will entertain thousands of spectators at the live site (Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)
The outdoor area where up to 25,000 visitors to the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be able to follow events on big screens while enjoying live music and other attractions has been unveiled in Barra Olympic Park. The Coordination Commission from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) helped inaugurate the Live Site on the first day of their 10th and final visit to Rio on Monday (11 April).
The dignitaries, including Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman and Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes, also unveiled the nearby Main Press Centre, which will have space for 25,000 journalists during the Olympic Games in August.
In typical Brazilian style, the inauguration was celebrated with a party. Local singer Thaís Macedo was the first to perform on the new stage and gave it a thumbs-up.
“The Olympic Park is beautiful. It is a privilege to be the first artist to perform here”
Thaís Macedo, singer
Brazilian singer Thaís Macedo performed at the opening of the Rio 2016 Live Site (Photo: Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)
Find your way around Barra Olympic Park with our venues map
During the Games, the 26,000m² live site will be home to a programme of cultural events. Anyone with a ticket to Barra Olympic Park will be able to visit the area to enjoy music and other performances while keeping up with sporting events on the big screens.
“The setting is fantastic. During the Games it will be the meeting point for people from all over the world”
Eduardo Paes, mayor of Rio de Janeiro
All the public areas of Barra Olympic Park are now ready, including the Olympic Way: a winding path which connects all the venues. The design of the path imitates the famous pattern of the Copacabana promenade.
The Olympic Way passes all the Olympic Park venues and ends up at the Live Site (Photo: Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)
Main Press Centre: telling the story of the Games
During the Games, the MPC will be home to 25,000 accredited journalists (Photo: Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)
The Main Press Centre in Barra Olympic Park was also handed over to the Rio 2016 Organising Committee on Monday. The 27,000m² facility will operate 24 hours a day during the Games.
“From here, beautiful stories will travel across the world. Stories about how athletes achieved their dreams. Stories about records and medals. Stories about Rio and how the Brazilian people made all of this possible"
Nawal El-Moutawakel, former athlete and chair of the IOC Coordination Commission
Carlos Nuzman, President of Rio 2016, receives the key to the Main Press Centre as IOC member Nawal El-Moutawakel (left) looks on (Photo: Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)
The handover ceremonies took place during the first day of the 10th visit to Rio by the IOC Coordination Commission, their last visit before the Olympic Games begin on 5 August.
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