Rio olympics, Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics Curtain raiser to Summer Olympics 2016

Rio de Janeiro: Curtain raiser to Summer Olympics 2016

Brazil is the first South American nation to host Olympic Games. The opening ceremony will be held in Maracana stadium in Rio. Athletes from 206 countries and a refugee team are in Brazil to compete in 28 sports, which will be watched by a global audience of billions. The Refugee Olympic Team will compete with 10 members in the summer Olympic games - five from South Sudan, two from Syria, two from DR Congo and one from Ethiopia. With 554 athletes United States is the largest participating team.

Rio: Curtain raiser to Summer Olympics 2016

There are 85,000 security personnel from 55 countries who will be stationed at the sport venues, Olympic Village, airports and main roads.

Rio de Janeiro: Curtain raiser to Summer Olympics 2016

Beautifully lighted Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro: Curtain raiser to Summer Olympics 2016

Graffiti of a Brazilian tribal man on a wall in Olympics village at Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro: Curtain raiser to Summer Olympics 2016

Indian athletes in Rio cheered by Indian fans. Shooter Abhinav Bindra who is participating in his fourth Olympics will be carrying the Indian flag and lead a strong contingent forward in the parade of nations for India.