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.

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.