Rio de Janeiro shows off its Olympic colours ahead of the Games
Host city gets in the mood as various landmarks are embellished with Rio 2016's official branding
Túnel Novo in Botafogo was among the first locations to be spruced up (Photo: Rio Media Centre/Renato Camara)
As with any great party, you need a great outfit. And as the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games edge closer, the city is getting into the spirit and putting on its glad rags.
With just 38 days to go until the curtain goes up on the Olympic Games, special decorations are springing up around the city. The Engenheiro Coelho Cintra tunnel, also known as Túnel Novo (New Tunnel) was one of the first to receive the Rio 2016 branded decoration, known as the 'Look of the Games', which Rio City Hall hopes will help spread the Olympic spirit among cariocas and visitors.
Túnel Novo is a key tunel in Rio, connecting the iconic Botafogo neighbourhood to the famous beaches of Copacabana and Leme. It also links Marina da Glória, where the Olympic sailing competitions will take place, with the oceanside districts. Copacabana will be the stage for various events such as the triathlon, marathon swimming, road cycling and beach volleyball.
Túnel Novo connects Botafogo with Copacabana (Photo: Rio Media Centre/ Renato Camara)
Various other landmarks across the city will also receive their Olympic decoration, including the new Via Binário tunnel, three footbridges in Flamengo, the footbridge opposite the church of São Francisco in Barra and the gateway into the city from Rio International Airport on Estrada do Galeão.
The new BRT services passes Rio 2016 colours on route to the international airport (Photo: Rio Media Centre/ Renato Camara)
The main thoroughfares that lead to Olympic venues are also being decorated with banners featuring Rio 2016 Olympic mascot Vinícius and the official Games slogan, A New World, which was announced last week.
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The Rio 2016 uniforms also feature the 'Look of the Games' (Photo: Rio 2016)
The decorations are part of Rio’s visual identity for the Olympic Games, designed by the Rio 2016 Organising Committee, and feature in everything from venue signage, staff and volunteer uniforms, and the Olympic torch. According to the Rio 2016 branding team, the design is inspired by the sinuous curves of Rio de Janeiro’s natural landscape and the diversity of the Brazilian people.
The Olympic Torch design incorporates Rio's iconic topography including Sugarloaf Mountain, depicted here (Photo: Rio 2016)