10 Things You Need To Know About the Rio Olympics 2016

With the 2016 Olympics in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro going on, here are 10 things you need to know about the historic event.

1. Rio 2016 will be the first time in Olympic history that a South American country has hosted the Games. The city won its bid in 2009, beating out Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo.

2. Around 10,500 athletes from 206 countries are expected to take part in 17 days of the Olympiad, competing across 306 events.

3. The competition will take place in four different areas: Copacabana, whose world-famous beach will host beach volleyball; Barra, home to the Olympic Park; Deodoro, for aquatics, BMX, and equestrian centers; and Maracanã, which features two large stadiums.

4. The opening and closing ceremonies will be held in Rio's Maracanã Stadium, which boasts the world record for the most fans ever to attend a soccer game. Although its current capacity is around 78,000, the stadium squeezed in at least 173,000 fans during the 1950 World Cup final.

5. Rugby Sevens makes its debut at the Rio Games, with both the U.S. women's and men's teams considered being medal contenders.

6. Golf will return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence.

7. A team of 10 refugees is competing for the first time under the Olympic flag. The International Olympic Committee formed the unique team for athletes that have fled conflict-ridden countries and regions.

8. The mascot for 2016 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.

9. Around 85,000 soldiers and policemen have been deployed - the largest security force assembled at any event in Brazil's history and twice as large as the security presence for London 2012.

10. According to organizers, 60,000 meals are being prepared per day to feed the athletes. Brazilian staples like rice and black beans and barbecued meat are accompanied by other local offerings, such as tapioca, pao de queijo (cheese bread) and acai (an Amazonian fruit and so-called superfood).

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