The 2016 Rio Olympic Games are anticipated to capture millions of viewers worldwide. There will be more than 15,000 athletes from 205 nations participating in this year’s games.  While the main focus is on the athletes, the venues that house the Olympic Games are world class—designed using the best architects, engineers, and technological innovations available today.

A total of 32 venues are being used in the Olympic Games this year spread across Barra de Tijuca, Copacabana, Maracaña, and Deodoro. However, there are three main venues for the Olympic events: Maracaña Stadium, The Rio Olympic Park, and The Olympic Training Center. Brazil constructed 14 new venues and many new road networks to accommodate Olympic athletes and their fans.

Construction by the Numbers

Maracaña Stadium

This year’s Olympic games will open and close in the Maracaña Stadium. It was built in 1948, and has hosted two FIFA World Cup games since then.

Did you know?

• Since recent renovations, the Maracaña Stadium has a seating capacity of 73,500.
• The stadium uses solar energy as a power source.
• The rooftop has 1,500 photovoltaic solar modules to power stadium events.
• 2012 renovation projects totaled $500 million.

The Rio Olympic Park

The Rio Olympic Park will be the heart of the 2016 Olympic Games. The Olympic Park will be home to several arenas, the the Olympic Tennis Centre and Olympic Halls one, two, and three. Furthermore, the infrastructure of the park is quite extensive.

• More than 8.3 kilometers (27,231 feet) of water supply lines have been installed.
• A total of 5 kilometers (16,404.2 feet) of fire prevention lines rest in the park.
• Workers have installed more than 5 kilometers (16,404.2 feet) of lighting.
• Lastly, greater than 9.9 meters (32 feet) of medium-voltage grid and 21.9 kilometers (71,850.39 feet) of telecommunications lines have been installed.

The Olympic Training Center

The Olympic Training Center is a crucial venue for all competing Olympic athletes as well as a huge milestone for the people of Rio de Janeiro. It is home to three large training halls and a total of 8,000 spectator seats.

Olympic Sustainability

The Rio 2016™ Olympic and Paralympic Games have four guiding principles: Responsibility, Inclusion, Integrity, and Transparency. These principles commit Rio de Janeiro to not only environmental responsibility, but also social and economic. The following issues are addressed in Rio’s Candidature File:

1. Water Treatment and Conservation
2. Environmental Awareness
3. Use and Management of Renewable Energy
4. Games Neutral in Carbon, Air Quality, and Transport
5. Protection of Soils and Ecosystems
6. Sustainable Design and Construction
7. Reforestation, Biodiversity, and Culture
8. Shopping and Ecological Certification
9. Solid Waste Management

To see the full sustainability scope for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, including full sustainable construction details, click here.