Virtual reality at new Olympic museum gives visitors chance to 'fly' through Rio
Olympic City Museum, located in north of Rio de Janeiro near Olympic Stadium, opened its doors on Tuesday (5 July)
Visitors to the new digital centre will be able to take a virtual flight over Copacabana and other famous Rio landmarks (Photo: Getty Images/Buda Mendes)
To mark one month until the start of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, a new museum and digital centre in the north of the city opened its doors to the public on Tuesday (5 July). Visitors can use state-of-the-art virtual reality technologies to 'visit' Olympic venues and tourist attractions all over the city.
The Museu Cidade Olímpica (Olympic City Museum) is located in the Engenho de Dentro region of Rio, near the renovated Olympic Stadium, in a building that used to be a workshop for repairing railway trains.
One month to go: Rio de Janeiro ready for Olympic showtime
The virtual reality systems are the star attraction. Users can strap special headsets over their eyes to enjoy an immersive experience of Rio; the spectacular aerial footage was filmed from hang gliders and helicopters all over the city, and includes breathtaking shots of Olympic regions such as Deodoro and Barra, the rejuvenated city centre, as well as old favourites like Sugarloaf Mountain and Copacabana beach.
The new space makes intensive use of interactive digital technology and multimedia. Visitors can try their hands at Olympic and Paralympic disciplines in front of a giant screen. They can also learn about how the Olympic Games and digital innovations are transforming life in Rio and about the influence of technology on sport.
Go inside the Rio 2016 venues wil Gooel Street View
Aerial images reveal the new Olympic face of Rio de Janeiro
Four virtual reality systems have been installed at the new centre (Photo: Rio 2016/Saulo Pereira Guimarães)
Eduardo Paes, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, and Carlos Nuzman, the president of the Rio 2016 organising committee, both participated in the opening ceremony on Tuesday.
"Today is a very special day," said Nuzman. "We are very happy to arrive at the stage we are at with the support we have. The Games could begin today, all of the competition areas are ready.
"It will be an unbelievable party that everyone will love. The Games are in Rio, but they belong to the people of Brazil."
Nuzman speaks at the launch of the Olympic City Museum (Photo: Rio 2016/Alexandre Loureiro)
The Olympic City Museum is open from 9am to 9pm from Tuesdays to Saturdays and from 9.30am to 4.30pm on Sundays.
