1. In 2009 Rio won the bid to host 2016 Olympics beating out Madrid, Chicago and Tokyo.
2. It would be first time in the Olympic history that a South American country will be hosting the event. Up until today, Europe hosted it 16 times, North America hosted it 6 times, Asia hosted it 3 times and Oceania 2 times.
3. The torch relay began on April 21 in the Olympia in Greece, Game’s Birthplace, before traveling across Brazil for more than 90 days and finishing in Rio on August 5.
4. The Summer Olympic Games 2016 will be held from 5th to 21st August in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
5. The opening and closing ceremonies will be held in Rio's Maracana Stadium.
6. Around 10,500 athletes from 205 different countries will take part in this Rio Olympics 2016 competing in around 306 events in the 17 days of the event.
7. Rugby and Golf are the new sports added to the list of competitions held in this Rio Olympics 2016.
8. The official slogan of Rio Olympics 2016 is “Viva sua paixao” which translates to “Live your passion”.
9. The mascot for 2016 Rio Olympics is "Vinicius," a yellow and blue creature representing Brazilian wildlife. It resembles a cat or monkey that can fly and has the power to stretch its limbs and body. It is named after Bossa Nova musician Vinicius de Moraes, one of the writers of "The Girl from Ipanema."
10. The total estimated cost to organize this Olympic Games 2016 in Rio de Janeiro is said to be around 10.24 billion Euros.
