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The Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games

By Mac Leave a Comment

Check one off the bucket list – I’ve officially attended my first Olympic Games.

Since I am sure you were all inundated with exaggerated or blatantly false information regarding the games, I will attempt to provide you with in insider’s point of view from Rio 2016.

First, some context (aka my credentials):

  • I was in Brazil for entirety of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
  • I speak Portuguese.
  • I have friends who were working for the games.
  • I know and I spoke with athletes competing in the games.
  • I attended a total of ten events, the Olympic Closing Ceremony, the Paralympic Opening Ceremony, and the Paralympic Closing Ceremony.

Basically, you can believe everything I’m about to tell you. And here we go:

  • You could buy 1/2 price student tickets online for any event and enter the stadium with them (nobody checked).
  • Once inside a stadium, you could basically sit wherever you wanted (I don’t think I ever sat in my assigned seat).
  • The public transportation (buses) got incredibly full at times and you would have to wait for six or seven buses to pass before there was space for anyone.
  • The majority of the events took place quite far from Rio de Janeiro’s Zona Sul (where the majority of people stay when in Rio).
  • The military presence on the streets of Rio was intense. Huge assault rifles everywhere.
  • The Paralympics were awesome (and far less expensive than the Olympics). 10/10, would go again.
  • It was incredibly hot some days and the Olympic Park (where many of the events were) had very few shaded areas (see below).
  • The Olympic Village was apparently not up to snuff with those of previous countries.
  • Times I heard the word “zika”? Zero.
  • Ryan Lochte is a douche.
Brazil-Rio-2016-GIG
Inside Rio de Janeio’s Galeão International Airport.
Brazil-Rio-2016-Olympics-Mascot
Ginga – the mascot of the Brazilian Olympic team.
Brazil-Rio-2016-Olympics-Torch
The Olympic Torch being carried through Barra da Tijuca.
Brazil-Rio-2016-Torch
The Olympic Torch in Maracanã.
Brazil-Rio-2016-Olympics-Soccer-Tickets
The Olympics has its own World Cup.
Brazil-Rio-2016-Olympics-Beer-Stand
Sauce stand.
Brazil-Rio-2016-Olympics-Boxing
Boxing in Riocento.
Brazil-Rio-2016-Olympics-Sign-Mac
Posing with my friend, brother, and occasional lover, Senhor Caixeiro.
Brazil-Rio-2016-Olympics-Volleyball
Volleyball was a lot more fun than I anticipated (Maracanãzinho).
Brazil-Rio-2016-Olympics-Olympic-Park
So hot and no umbrellas. Whose idea was this?
Brazil-Rio-2016-Olympics-Closing-Ceremony
The closing ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Brazil-Rio-2016-Olympics-Ceremoney-Ticket
I GOTS DA TICKETS!
Brazil-Rio-2016-Olympics-Paralympic-Opening-Ceremoney
The Paralympic Opening Ceremony in Maracanã.
Brazil-Rio-2016-Olympics-Aquatic-Staduim-Building
The Olympic Aquatics Stadium (Estádio Aquático Olímpico).
Brazil-Rio-2016-Olympics-Aquatic-Stadium
Inside the Olympic Aquatics Stadium (Estádio Aquático Olímpico).
Brazil-Rio-2016-Olympics-Engenhao
The Olympic Stadium (Estádio Olímpico) where track and field events were held.
Brazil-Rio-2016-Olympics-Pavillion
Tennis goes here.
Brazil-Rio-2016-Olympics-Doubles-Wheelchair-Tennis
The gold medal doubles wheelchair tennis match between the USA and Australia.
Brazil-Rio-2016-Arnaud
My brother, accomplished Paralympic long jumper, Arnaud Assoumani – taking home the bronze for France.
Brazil-Rio-2016-Olympics-Bronze-Medal
These things are seriously heavy.
Brazil-Rio-2016-Paralympic-Closing-Ceremony
The Paralympic Closing Ceremony in Maracanã.

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Brazil,  Photo Gallery Olympics,  Rio de Janeiro

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