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The competition venues were clustered in four zones – Barra, Copacabana, Deodoro and Maracanã – and connected by a high-performance transport ring.
Nearly half of the athletes could reach their venues in less than 10 minutes, and almost 75 per cent could do so in less than 25 minutes.
Of the 34 competition venues, eight underwent some permanent works, seven were totally temporary and nine were constructed as permanent legacy venues.
The Rio Games also celebrated and showcased sport, thanks to the city’s stunning setting and a desire to lift event presentation to new heights.
At the same time, Rio 2016 was an opportunity to deliver the broader aspirations for the long-term future of the city, region and country
– an opportunity to hasten the transformation of Rio de Janeiro into an even greater global city.
The Rio 2016 emblem is inspired by the organisers’ vision, which is: “All Brazilians uniting to deliver the greatest festival on earth and proudly
advancing our national promise of progress.” It has, as its essence, the concepts of passion and transformation, which both reflect modern-day Brazil.
This positioning is supported by four pillars – harmonious diversity, contagious energy, exuberant nature, and the Olympic spirit.
These have all been masterfully combined to give Rio 2016 its colourful identity. This emblem is not only a symbol of Rio’s and Brazil’s hopes for
these Games but also for the future of the city and country.
Vinicius
Vinicius is a mix of different Brazilian animals. His design takes inspiration from pop culture, as well as video game and animation characters.
Alongside his Paralympic Games colleague, Vinicius represents the diversity of the Brazilian people and culture, as well as its exuberant nature.
The call for tenders for the creation of the Rio 2016 mascots was launched in November 2012, and was aimed at Brazilian companies and professionals
in the fields of design, animation and illustration. The country’s major firms took part. After various selection phases, a multi-disciplinary jury
unanimously selected the final project in August 2013. The Olympic and Paralympic mascots were unveiled simultaneously to the public on 23 November 2014.
Over the three weeks following the presentation of the Olympic and Paralympic mascots, a public vote took place to select their respective names.
Three choices were on offer: Oba and Eba; Tiba Tuque and Esquindim; and Vinicius and Tom. A total of 323,327 votes were registered.
The third proposal won the competition, with 44 per cent of the valid votes.
The mascots (life-sized costume versions) made their first public appearance at the Ginásio Experimental Olímpico Juan Antonio Samaranch,
named after the former IOC President. This is a school in Rio, opened under the impetus of the Games and aimed at young sporting talents.