One month to go: Rio de Janeiro ready for Olympic showtime
Opening night is just 31 days away. The dress rehearsals are nearly over. The curtain is about to go up on the Olympic Games, the greatest show on earth.
Seven years in the making, it is now just one month until the first Olympic Games in South America get underway. Rio de Janeiro is ready for its big moment in the spotlight...
The stage is set
Every venue for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games is now ready. More than 7,000 athletes have competed in competitions that have put staff and the venues through their paces. The test events are over. Opening night beckons.
It’s a wrap: test events for Rio 2016 Games come to an end
Rio Olympic Velodrome ready for action
With two Olympic Parks (one in Barra, one in Deodoro), the Rio 2016 Games will be played out in 32 venues across four zones in Rio de Janeiro, plus in five football co-host cities. The Main Press Centre in Barra Olympic Park will welcome the first of the world's media on Tuesday (5 July).
With nine venues, Barra Olympic Park will be the heart of the Games (Photo: Andre Motta)
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The Olympic and Paralympic Village, which will be home to more than 17,000 athletes and officials at peak time during the Olympic Games, is now ready to welcome its first guests. Residents will enjoy a vibrant Brazilian atmosphere at the village, with innumerable exotic fruits and traditional snacks on offer, as well as some of the best in local music and culture.
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Refugee athletes feel at home at Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Village
The stars are warming up
More than 10,000 of the world's best athletes in 42 sporting disciplines are poised to embark on the journey of a lifetime to Rio. Icons such as Michael Phelps and Novak Djokovic will be leading the charge, while thousands of lesser known competitors from all around the world will soon be enjoying their very own Olympic dream.
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Phelps has qualified for his fifth Olympic Games (Tom Pennington)
The home nation will be represented in force during the Games. Brazil will be sending more swimmers and track-and-field competitors to a Games than ever before. Home support will be passionate and the excitement is mounting.
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It's busy behind the scenes
Between them, more than 90,000 people – made up of volunteers, employees and contractors – will be responsible for running the world's greatest sporting festival. With one month to go, thousands of people are now collecting their uniforms, picking up their credentials and getting ready to welcome their guests with all of the warmth and hospitality for which Brazil is so famous.
Uniforms for Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games unveiled
The uniforms come in four colours for different functions (Photo: Rio 2016/Alexandre Loureiro)
The city is a hive of pre-Olympic activity. Special seating is going up in locations such as Copacabana, where the beach volleyball, triathlon and road cycling will take place. The Maracanã is under wraps in the countdown to the opening ceremony. Brand-new transport services have started operating in the city centre and there is a whole new look to the international airport.
High-tech trams arrive in Rio city centre ahead of Olympic Games
Rio international airport gets full makeover for Olympic Games
New metro line on track to open for Rio 2016 Games
Rio launches travel card for public transport during Olympic and Paralympic Games
Website provides tips on transport options for Rio 2016
Safety first
To ensure that everything runs smoothly, a combined security force of 85,000 people will guarantee the security of the athletes' village, the sports venues and key infrastructure such as the city's airports and main roads. Security personnel from 55 countries will be involved, with two command-and-control centres operating around the clock.
Rio readies giant security force of 85,000 to ensure safe and peaceful Games
Project trains public workers and population to identify suspicious behaviour during Rio 2016 Games
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation has reassured residents and visitors that, unless they are pregnant, there is no need for alarm about the zika virus; preventative measures have been implemented and the mosquito population is expected to be negligible in August.
World Health Organisation sees ‘very low risk‘ of zika virus due to Rio 2016
Risk of zika during Rio 2016 Games is minimal, says Brazilian health minister
The audience is buzzing
More than two months into the Olympic Torch Relay, the torch has visited 180 towns across this giant country, travelled 17,000km (more than 10,500 miles) by land, air and water, and been carried by more than 7,000 torchbearers. Everywhere it goes, the torch has lit enthusiasm for the Games and spread the Olympic values of friendship, respect and excellence.
The torch received a warm welcome in Salvador (Photo: Rio 2016)
60 days of diversity on the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay
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The cast is getting into position
In the Olympic Games, the supporting cast is just as important as the stars. Great Games need great athletes, great organisation – and a great atmosphere. It's what everyone remembers about the 2014 World Cup, and it's what will define Rio 2016. If there's one thing that cariocas (the residents of Rio) know, it's how to put on a great show and a great party.
Rio gets ready to party as hospitality houses revealed for Olympic and Paralympic Games
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Front of house is ready
Rio is putting on the ritz ahead of the big event. Special decorations are springing up everywhere around town. The medals have been struck. Ticket offices are opening all around city and the stores are packed with souvenirs and memorabilia.
Rio de Janeiro shows off its Olympic colours ahead of the Games
Ticket offices open for sales and pick-ups
Rio 2016 opens giant megastore on Copacabana beach
Rio 2016 reveals Olympic medals, celebrating nature and sustainability
It's showtime!
It hasn't always been easy. As with any show, there have been unexpected difficulties, disagreements and doubts. But opening night is in sight and the curtain is about to go up. Join us in just one month for the greatest show on earth.
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