A security force numbering 85,000 people will ensure safety on the streets of Rio de Janeiro during the 2016 Olympic Games, an official from the Brazilian Ministry of Justice said on Wednesday (29 June).

Andrei Rodrigues, head of the ministry's special secretariat of security for major events, told a press conference in Rio that Brazil was ready to deliver a safe Olympic Games for anyone visiting the city.

More than 500,000 tourists and over 10,000 athletes are expected to come to Rio de Janeiro during the Games, which will take place from 5 August to 21 August.

Project trains public workers and population to identify suspicious behaviour

To protect visitors from any threats, security services have been running extensive background checks on everyone involved in the Games. So far, 7,262 people have failed these checks; as a result their requests for accreditation to access Olympic areas have been turned down.

In total, the backgrounds of about 400,000 people have been analysed, including volunteers, journalists and officials.

International cooperation

As well as Brazilian personnel, 250 police officers from 55 countries will support the local armed forces and police services.

During the Games, security forces will patrol the Olympic Village, sports venues, tourist areas and strategic sites such as airports and major roads.

"We believe that with the reinforcement of our policing operations, supported by the armed forces and by members of forces from other countries, we will have the full capacity to guarantee a peaceful environment," Rodrigues said.

Members of the intelligence services of the USA, Belgium, France and other countries will be present in Rio as part of Brazil's anti-terror efforts. Two command-and-control centres, in Rio and in the country's capital Brasília, will operate around the clock.

Rodrigues said that about 20,000 Brazilian police officers have received special security training. The USA has trained 400 Brazilians in 15 different security courses.