Olympic Games in Southern hemisphere kicks off
The opening ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games takes place at 1am (local time) in Rio de Janeiro in the Maracanã Stadium.
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- The Summer Olympics have been held 27 times (6 in North America, 16 in Europe, 3 in Asia and 2 in Oceania).
- The first Olympic Games in ancient times were held in 776 in Olympia, Greece and the first Olympic Games of the modern era, in 1896 in Athens, Greece.
- About 10,500 athletes from 205 different countries will take part in the Summer Olympics 2016.
- 306 competitions in 42 different sports will be held in 17 days.
- Golf (returning after 112 years) and Rugby (returning after 92 years) will be the “new” sports of the Olympic Games.
- There will be 33 different venues in four different districts of Rio de Janeiro (Copacabana, Barra de Tijuca, Deodoro and Maracanã).
- The slogan of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro is Viva sua paixão – Live your passion.