The boardwalk of Rio’s Copacabana beach is a great place to watch the activities on the beach, from vendors setting up their wares to athletic groups starting their exercises, but also to mingle with joggers passing by and to marvel at sandcastle builders repairing minor damages suffered overnight to their often amazing creations. One glance at such incredible creations in sand and you’ll be asked for a donation, one Real not getting you even a thank you though usually you can take a picture or, if the owner is in fine fettle, you may be able to shoot a short video.
The well-known landmark, the statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro is one of the most recognized landmarks in the world. Christ the Redeemer, Cristo Redentor in Portuguese, sits 2400 feet above the sea-level city of Rio, a remarkable vertical difference considering the mountain rises not far from the very city center. And the views and panoramas are truly stunning, in all directions one looks, a must-see experience if one visits Brazil’s capital. During the Olympic Games 2016 Rio promises to showcase the very best of Brazil – with London games around the corner, the countdown to Rio games has begun.
Rio de Janeiro boasts one of the most impressive natural configurations of any city its size in the world. The landmarks of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado and the Sugar Loaf mountain are the focal points of a memorable skyline, yet they would not be half as alluring would it not be for the backdrop of Tijuca National Park and above all the Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon beaches completing the stunning frame of reference.
Most of the Olympic events will take place at three key areas. Barra da Tijuca, the American style western suburb of Rio, will hold the swimming, water polo and the diving competition at the Aquatic Center. Barra will contain also the site of the Olympic Village itself. The Joao Havelange Stadium, north-west of the downtown, will stage the track and flied events. And the most famous soccer stadium of Brazil, the Maracana, one of the largest stadiums in the world, will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympic Games. Along with the Deodoro Park, the third cluster of Olympic sites, where the modern pentathlon, white water events and mountain bike events will take place, is as Maracana in the northern zone of Rio.
Although the major competition venues are located in the above three neighborhoods, the legendary south coast beach areas will be included in the staging grounds of the Olympic events as well. Copacabana beach will host the Olympic volleyball, as it should. Copacabana waterfront and Flamengo Park will also be the site of triathlon and road cycling.
Rio de Janiero tried to bid for the games three times before but always failed, in 1936, 2004 and last in 2008 when it hoped to hold the games of 2012 eventually awarded to London, it is not new to hosting prominent sporting events, notably Soccer World Cup, Formula One races and Pan American Games. Having persevered and finally won will no doubt repay the effort. The Olympic Games 2016 in Rio promise to be a grand occasion not to miss indeed.
