The announcement to award the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games to the city of Rio de Janeiro was made by IOC President Jacques Rogge on 2nd October 2009 in Copenhagen. It marked the summit of a path of accomplishments for the bid team, and the beginning of a journey of big opportunities and challenges for Rio, and for Brazil.
The infrastructure developments for the preparation of the Games are huge. There will be more than 100,000 people directly involved in the organisation of the Games, including 70,000 volunteers. Millions of people in the city, around the country and across the continent of South America will be reached and inspired by the Games. More than 10,500 athletes from approximately 205 nations around the world are expected to come to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games to compete in front of many thousands of media professionals, sports fans and tourists from all over the globe.
In order to accommodate all the visitors for the Games, Rio will undertake a transformation over the forthcoming years, but the ‘marvelous city’ will never lose its infectious Carioca spirit and Brazilian energy that it is famous for.
