Seven years in the making , Rio de Janeiro is finally ready for its big moment in the spotlight – the first Olympic Games to be held in South America . The XXXI Olympiad Opening Ceremony , which kicks off the two-and-a-half week athletic extravaganza , is August 5th .
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The competition venues , grouped in four zones in and around the Brazilian city ( Barra , Copacabana , Deodoro and Maracanã ), are connected by a high-performance transportation ring . Nearly half of the athletes will be able to reach their venues in less than ten minutes , and almost 75 % will do so in less than 25 minutes . Of the 34 competition venues , eighteen are existing venues ( with eight of those undergoing some revitalization ), seven will be temporary , and nine are being newly constructed as permanent legacy venues .
The Rio Games will beautifully celebrate and highlight sport and world togetherness , thanks to the city ’ s stunning setting along the coast of Brazil and a desire to lift event presentation to new heights . At the same time , RIO 2016 will be an opportunity to deliver broader aspirations for the long-term future of the city , region and country and an opportunity to hasten the transformation of Rio de Janeiro into an even greater global city .
More than 10,000 of the world ' s best athletes from 42 sporting disciplines are poised to embark on the journey of a lifetime . 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 .
The United States brings to Rio a team consisting of over 500 athletes and includes the mostdecorated Olympian ever ( Phelps ) along with fresh-faced first timers ready to create their own Olympic legacies . The roster also includes several Orange County locals , including Antonio Vargas from Kissimmee ( Boxing ), Laura Graves from Orlando ( Equestrian ), Katelin Snyder from Orlando ( Rowing ), and Marvin Bracy from Orlando ( Track and Field ).
The 2016 Summer Olympic Games will run August 5th through the 21st , and will be broadcast and streamed online across NBC and partner networks .
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