The Frequently Asked Questions section was created to easily clarify the main subjects concerning the Rio 2016 Games.
Rio 2016 bid was driven by the wish to bring together the power of Olympic and Paralympic sports and the festive frame of mind of cariocas, with the purpose of bringing sustainable development to Brazil and to the Olympic and Paralympic Movements. For cariocas this development would be linked to the transformation of their city by the establishment of a new urban infrastructure, generation of new environmental, physical and social initiatives, new advantages and opportunities for all. Another reason was the possibility of encouraging Brazilian economy and tourism because of the Games, gaining for Brazil a new level of international recognition and enhancing its reputation as a thrilling place, where living, doing business and travelling is an excellent option. Additionally, the long term vision of the Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOC) and of its president Carlos Artur Nuzman has always included the possibility of hosting large events in Brazil as the best way to accelerate sport development in the country.
After Rio was eliminated from the race to host 2004 Olympic Games, the General Assembly of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, composed of the Confederations of all Olympic Sports resolved in a unanimous voting to waive the opportunity to try again in 2008 to compete with other cities to host the Pan American Games in 2007. The successful delivery of the largest sport event in the Americas, and the second largest sport event in the world, could prepare Brazil to win the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Once Rio prevailed over San Antonio to host the Pan American Games, the Brazilian Olympic Committee resumed the Brazilian Olympic project, this time aiming at 2012 Games. In July 2003, the BOC Assembly chose Rio de Janeiro, instead of São Paulo, to compete for Brazil with the other applicant cities.
Again Rio was eliminated, but the bids for 2004 and 2012 were understood as a process that was constantly evolving, in which the strengths were enhanced and the weaknesses improved and corrected to assure, later on, the organization of a new attempt to become a candidate city.
On August 25, 2006, BOC Executive Committee decided to proposed to the Assembly to present Rio as an applicant city for 2016. This proposal was approved by oral vote, just a little more than two years after Rio’s bid for 2012 Games had been disqualified. At that time, the delivery of the Pan American Games paved the way for a new attempt at making the Brazilian Olympic project come true. This vision proved to be correct as Rio was awarded the right to host 2016 Games.
Rio de Janeiro was awarded the right to host 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games by the 121st Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the general assembly of this body, held in Copenhagen, Denmark, on October 2, 2009. Rio won the final round of voting by 66 votes against the 32 votes given to Madrid, the other finalist.
The result of all the rounds of voting was the following:
| Rounds of voting | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Rio de Janeiro | 26 | 46 | 66 |
| Madrid | 28 | 29 | 32 |
| Tokyo | 22 | 20 | |
| Chicago | 18 |
All candidate cities were compelled to submit sound technical proposals and this is precisely what Rio did. Other decisive issues were the unity between the three levels of government, the fact that the Olympic Games had never been held in South America and the Brazilian people well known worldwide for its special way of celebrating sport. Additionally, the International Olympic Committee understood what the power of transformation of these Games would mean to Rio, Brazil and South America. To the Olympic and Paralympic Movements this decision represented the opening of a new and promising frontier, and the possibility of inspiring 65 million youths under 18 years of age in Brazil and 180 in the whole continent.
Phase I – Applicant City: R$ 9.106.905,02
| Revenue | Federal Government | State Government | TOTAL |
| Public Funds | 3,022,097.88 | 3,279,984.98 | 6,302,082.86 |
| Donations by individuals | TOTAL | ||
| Private Funds | 2,804,822.16 | 2,804,822.16 | |
| GENERAL TOTAL | 9,106,905.02 | ||
Phase II – Candidate City: R$ 80,995,946.63
| Revenue | Public funds | Private funds | GENERAL TOTAL | |
| Federal government | 47,402,531.75 | Instituto EBX | 13,000,000.00 | |
| State government | 3,617,556.00 | Eike Bastista | 10,000,000.00 | |
| Municipal government | 4,995,620.93 | Bradesco S/A | 3,500,000.00 | |
| Odebrecht S/A | 3,300,000.00 | |||
| Embratel S/A | 3,000,000.00 | |||
| TAM* | 1,233,726.00 | |||
| TOTAL | 56,015,708.68 | 34,033,726.00 | 90,049,434.68 |
* TAM contributed with R$ 1,233,726.00 in the form of discounts in air tickets
NOTE: The residual balance was used to fund the first months of operation of Rio 2016 Organizing Committee
The Rio 2016 Organising Committee handles the planning and operation of the Games. For this reason, it counts on a budget of R$7.4 billion. This total is the sum of the predicted value in the Candidature File, corrected by inflation accumulated during this period, as well as the resultant growth of the inclusion of four new sports. In addition, the costs of new technologies have been added, which could not have been foreseen at the time of the Candidature File, as well as extra security expenses and funding for enjoyment of the Olympic Village.
They are private resources, which will be collected by the Committee during the Olympic journey. The values foreseen in the dossier of the Candidature File as a government contribution is not part of this budget, but were updated and incorporated into the Matrix of Responsibilities.
The Organising Committee is not responsible for any building works. The costs of building works for venues and infrastructure are managed by the three levels of government.
As explained in detail in answer 6, the budget of private revenues belongs to the Organizing Committee, a not for profit organization, which, as such does, not seek profit, but just to raise the amount required to plan and operate the Games.
In accordance with Rio 2016 Statutes, any possible positive balance achieved by the Organizing Committee will be distributed as follows: (i) 20% to the Brazilian Olympic Committee, (ii) 20% to the International Olympic Committee and (iii) 60% to be invested in the provision of general benefits to sport in this host country, as determined by the Host City Contract.
The Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Rio 2016 is a private not for profit sport association formed by the Brazilian Olympic Confederations, the Brazilian Olympic Committee and Brazilian Paralympic Committee. It was assigned the mission of promoting, organizing and delivering the Olympic and Paralympic Games Rio 2016, following the guidelines of the Host City Contract, the International Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Committee and of the World Anti-Doping Agency and complying with provisions of the Brazilian law, the Olympic Charter and the IPC Manual.
The IOC will ensure the regular celebration of the Olympic Games, encourage and support a responsible concern with the environment, promote sustainable development in sport and demand compliance by the Olympic Games with these tenets.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the higher authority of the Olympic Movement. Acting as a catalyst of the collaboration between all branches of the Olympic Family, National Olympic Committees, International Sport Federations, athletes, Organizing Committees of Olympic Games, sponsors, broadcast rightsholders and UN agencies, the IOC develops a full series of programs and projects to fulfill its mission of promoting an integrated sport and education culture, guided by its vision of contributing to the construction of a better world through sport and protection of the excellence, friendship and respect values.
The Brazilian Olympic Committee directs, by itself and with support from the National Olympic sport governing bodies, organizes the participation of Brazilian athletes in the Olympic Games Rio 2016.
The Brazilian Paralympic Committee organizes and directs the participation of Brazilian athletes in the Paralympic Games Rio 2016.
The Olympic Public Authority is a federative public consortium whose purpose is to coordinate the participation of the federal administration, the state of Rio de Janeiro and the municipality of Rio de Janeiro in the preparation and delivery of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Rio 2016 and plan for the delivery of the works and services needed to stage the event.
The higher instance of the APO is the Olympic Public Council, chaired by former Central Bank president Henrique Meirelles, and formed by the mayor of the city of Rio de Janeiro and the governor of the state of Rio de Janeiro. The Council is granted powers to approve and amend APO statures, approve APO budgetary proposal, approve the Portfolio of Olympic Projects, appoint the members of the Governance and Audit Committees, and decide on any possible assignment of responsibilities for the projects included in the Portfolio of Olympic Projects, and approve the Matrix of Responsibility.
The APO President is appointed by the President of the Republic.
All the candidate cities to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games sign an agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Host City Contract, which is later on ratified by the awarded city and by the National Olympic Committee of the host country, states in detail the rights and obligations of the parties involved in Games organization, setting the basis for the partnership that constitutes the foundation for the work of the Organizing Committee with the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee and their partners. In the candidature phase, the three government levels – federal, state and municipal - also offered several guarantees to the IOC. The IOC monitors the fulfillment of these commitments through the IOC interlocutor in Games organization, that is, Rio 2016 Organizing Committee which, on its turn, has permanent relations with the Public Olympic Authority and the three government levels.
Rio’s candidature to 2016 Games has already prompted Rio to enforce the federal accessibility law said to be one of the most complete in the world and seen as a reference by the United Nations with regards to reduced mobility or special needs.
The three government levels – federal, state and municipal – guaranteed that accessibility will be fully integrated to the planning and construction of the infrastructure and of the Olympic venues, in full compliance with national and international standards.
Until 2016 all public transportation systems in the city of Rio de Janeiro will be offering full accessibility, and the accessibility standards of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) will be enforced in all new hotels built in the city, with the purpose of encompassing at least at least 1% of all rooms available in Rio de Janeiro.
Besides the physical legacy, the awareness of the accessibility issue by the general population will be one of the key benefits arising out of the Paralympic Games.
Among the four finalists of the process of selection of the host city of 2016 Games, Rio de Janeiro had the largest number of competition venues that were fully ready. Currently, 47% of the venues required to stage the event already exist and are in operation. Several of these venues were developed or remodeled for the Pan and Parapan American Games Rio 2007. Another 25% will be temporary venues.
Ten competition venues will be built, which is equivalent to 28% of the venues required to stage Rio 2016 Games, and will become a permanent legacy of the Games. Each one of such venues is grounded on a sound commercial plan capable of assuring their long term sustainability, contributing to the development of Olympic and Paralympic sport and to an increased participation of society as a whole.
The most significant structural project of the sport legacy of Rio’s candidature is the Olympic Training Center (COT). The COT joins two venues existing since Rio 2007 and several others still to be built and which will become part of the Olympic Park of Rio 2016 Games. After the Games, the COT will be the Brazilian and continental training reference. The long term use of the COT will be assured by resources from a neighboring commercial venture that at Games time will host the International Broadcasting Center, the Main Press Center and a hotel.
Another significant legacy will be the Deodoro Radical Park where the cycling (BMX and Mountain bike) and canoe (slalom) venues will be built. After the Games, this venue will become a radical sport center strategically located in one of the most densely populated and youngest regions of Rio de Janeiro. As a legacy the Radical Park facilities will be added to those of the COT, generating opportunities for training in the same sports of the Games, with the possibility of expansion to other radical disciplines.
The concern with accessibility guides organisation, targeting both the Olympic and Paralympic Games since the start of the planning process. The person with an impairment does not only have an interest in Paralympic competitions: everybody should have access to both competitions.
We are going to offer locations free of obstacles, plan transport for Rio 2016 clients inside the principles of universal design, incorporate accessibility criteria into accommodation plans, provide an accessible and inclusive workplace, use accessible communication tools, as well as making partners and employees aware of accessibility, encouraging the adoption of new behaviour.
We have also developed a Technical Accessibility Guide which, after its use in the building works for the Games, will remain as a legacy for the national civil construction sector.
In 2014, we began a visiting programme for the assessment and classification of accessibility in hotels accredited for the Games. As well as a technical assessment, the task involves engagement and awareness so that improvements may be made. The objective of the programme is to visit 150 hospitality units by 2016. From the start, the response of those responsible for accommodation has been excellent – some, of their own initiative, have already made adaptations to better attend people with an impairment.
Among the four finalist cities in the selection process to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Rio de Janeiro was the city that had the largest number of sports venues ready. Of the venues necessary for staging the event, 45 per cent already existed, several of them developed or renovated for the Rio 2007 Pan and Parapan American Games. Another 21 per cent will be temporary.
Ten competition venues will be built, equivalent to 27 per cent of the necessary venues for Rio 2016, and will remain as a permanent legacy of the Games. Each one is anchored to a solid business plan, guaranteeing its long-term sustainability and contributing to the development of Olympic and Paralympic sport and a greater community participation.
The structural project of the most significant sporting legacy of the Rio 2016 Candidature File is the Olympic Training Centre (COT). Barra Olympic Park will be transformed into a large sporting and educational complex designed for students in the public school network and high-level athletes with use divided between social projects and events. The shared use with high-level sport was idealised and will be performed in partnership with the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB), holder of knowledge for the design and management of activities connected to this segment of sporting practice. Besides serving as a training centre for top athletes, some venues will be able to host international sporting competitions.
Of the nine venues that make up the Olympic Park, seven will be maintained after 2016: Carioca Arenas 1, 2 and 3, Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre, Rio Olympic Arena, Rio Olympic Velodrome and the Olympic Tennis Centre. An Olympic-standard athletics track and two beach volleyball courts will be added after the Games, as well as accommodation for high and base-level athletes. The long-term use of the COT will be guaranteed through proceeds from neighbouring business enterprises, which during the Rio 2016 Games will house the International Broadcasting Centre, the Main Press Centre and a hotel.
Another important legacy will be the X-Park in Deodoro, which will host the cycling venues (BMX and mountain bike) and canoe (slalom). After the Rio 2016 Games, the venue will become an extreme sports centre, strategically located in one of the most densely populated youth areas in Rio de Janeiro. The X-Park venues will be built together with the COT, providing training opportunities in the same Games sports with the possibility of expanding to other extreme disciplines.
One of the premises of the Rio 2016 Games, since the time of the Candidature File, has been the use of sporting venues from the 2007 event.
The Organising Committee, together with the three levels of government, have been thorough in guaranteeing that sufficient numbers of hotel rooms, guesthouses and apartments for seasonal rent are available to meet the large demand during the Games period.
From the Candidature File to the staging of the Games, the city has seen the offer of hospitality grow by over 50 per cent, which also means an improvement in the quality of the carioca hotel industry, which has only been made possible thanks to the staging of the Rio 2016 Games.
The Dilma Rousseff administration has been designing a new airport policy, making the airports a government priority and is moving in the right direction.
The transportation strategy was developed aimed at ensuring that all those who are watching, taking part or working in the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be offered safe, fast and reliable transport options.
Investments will be made that will result in a High Capacity Transportation Ring that twill comprise a completely renovated system of trains, a renovated metro system and a new BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system. This network will have the integration option available in several stations, and will connect all the four Games Zones to key areas of the city, transforming the urban environment and creating a legacy that will have a significant social legacy.
The three government levels will be working jointly to ensure a safe and agreeable environment for the Games. The Games will act as a catalyst of long term improvements in Rio de Janeiro security systems, representing a real opportunity of transformation, through a process that started with the Pan American Games 2007, and has been evolving with the preparations for the FIFA World Cup in 2014.
The planning of the Games security operation was based on a full assessment of security and related risks, conducted by international risk and security management experts, working jointly with the competent Brazilian authorities.
The Brazilian experience in ensuring the security of the large events held in the city, as for example, the Brazilian leg of Athens 2004 Torch Relay, the famous Carioca Carnival and the New Year’s Eve celebrations will guarantee the delivery of successful and friendly security operation.
The general population is already reaping the benefits of the project of Rio de Janeiro Pacifying Police Units (UPPs) deployed based on a responsible and careful planning.
In partnership with the private sector the state administration has been developing a quality project aimed at the cleaning of the Guanabara Bay that will be the target of investments until 2016.
The organizing Committees for 2014 FIFA World Cup and Rio 2016 are distinct entities, working in cooperation and in close contact, be it at the technical level towards the delivery of the Olympic football competition, or through discussions and exchanges of information about issues that are common to both events, always in accordance with the guidance provided by FIFA and the IOC.
The three levels of government will work tirelessly with the objective of guaranteeing a safe and pleasant atmosphere for the Games. The Games will act as a large catalyst for long-term improvement in the safety systems of the city of Rio de Janeiro, representing a genuine opportunity for transformation.
Planning of the security operation for the Games was based on a full safety and related risk assessment, developed by international specialists in risk and safety management, in cooperation with Brazilian authorities.
The experience of Brazil in guaranteeing safety at large events in the city, such as the Brazilian stage of the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay, the famous carioca Carnival and the New Year’s Eve celebrations, will guarantee the delivery of a successful and amicable security operation.
At the right time, a transparent and inclusive volunteer recruiting process will be conducted, supported by an alignment of personal values to those of the project to be followed by specific training. Special attention will be given to factors as diversity, expertise and social inclusion. The objective will be to select volunteers fully committed to the project, who wish to have a unique story to tell their relatives or future employers and capable of fully grasping the concept of diversity when the time comes to serve and interact with the public, athletes and other members of the workforce.
Volunteer recruiting will be extensively advertised through various channels of communication..
The criteria and conditions for the inclusion of sports, disciplines and events in the Olympic programme is established in Article 46 of the Olympic Charter, under the authority of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
For the Rio 2016 Games programme, the new sports included are rugby, golf, paracanoe and paratriathlon.
The Rio 2016 Volunteer Programme is the opportunity to actively take part in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Regular registration ended on 15 December 2014 (with the exception of Manaus, whose registration period runs until 31 October 2015). For other locations in the country, it is still possible to apply through the waiting list. The next step is to schedule an interview, which may be conducted personally or online, depending on the place of residence of the candidate. From November this year, those selected will receive an invitation, via email, with information regarding their role and work schedule. For further information, visit rio2016.com/voluntarios, call the contact centre on 3004-2016, or speak with us via Chat, email or Whatsac.
The Rio 2016 Organising Committee has designed a ticketing and promotion policy that will guarantee not just that stadiums will be filled to capacity, but also access to the competition venues to all parts of society and all Games clients. A multi-phase domestic ticketing programme encompassing draws, direct online sales and direct box office sales serves Brazilian residents. An international ticketing programme in partnership with over 60 Authorised Ticket Resellers and distributors worldwide serves the general public outside of Brazil. During Games time, a large distribution network and flexible service hours will make Games tickets easily available to all, in an organised and fair manner, with full credibility.
Click here to find out more about how to buy tickets - www.rio2016.com/en/tourist-information
The Rio 2016 Committee already has six official stores. One is located at the Organising Committee HQ, two at Congonhas Domestic Airport in São Paulo, one at Rio de Janeiro International Airport and another at Santos Dumont Domestic Airport, also in Rio de Janeiro. There is also the online store, with delivery across Brazil, at www.lojario2016.com.br
By its very nature, the organization of the Olympic Games is multidisciplinary, involving an immense variety of areas and expertise. There are some areas that require specific knowledge of the sport universe, however there are functions that may be performed by professionals with experience in different segments, as for example Corporate Finance or IT. In other sectors, specialized staff will be needed as in the case of Technology and Accommodation. People who are competent in their careers, passionate about the values represented by the Games, with personal characteristics of flexibility, determination and willingness to learn are quick to adapt to the project.
A total of 90,000 vacancies in the Rio 2016 Organising Committee are awaiting candidates.
The selection of new candidates to take part in the construction of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, from next year, began on 16 September 2015. Five thousand of these posts will be recruited directly by the Rio 2016 Committee, conducted by ManPowerGroup – http://www.talentosmanpowergroup.com.br.
The other 85,000 vacancies on offer will be available through contracts with service companies, whose employees will be outsourced to work at the biggest sporting event on the planet.