Countdown to Rio

We don’t know about you, but we’re so excited for the Rio 2016 Olympics! Four years have flown by since London 2012, and now Rio is ready to welcome the world through its front doors. There are so many things to look forward to – the dazzling opening ceremony, record breaking sporting achievements, an overwhelming sense of national pride…this is definitely going to be a summer to remember. Join us in our countdown to Rio as we tick off the top reasons why the 2016 Olympic Games are going to be incredible!

Let the Games begin!

The Opening Ceremony of the Olympics is the highlight of the entire event. Millions tune in across the globe in countless different time zones to watch the spectacle and support their countries as the games officially begin. The Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics was a magnificent show and definitely raised the bar for Rio. Let’s see if they can match the Queen of England parachuting out of a helicopter with 007, a live reading of Peter Pan by J. K. Rowling and Mr Bean playing the piano with the London Symphony Orchestra. We can’t wait to see what a bright, fantastic show they have in store for the world!

Welcome back to the hole-in-one

The Rio 2016 Olympics marks the return of some sporting events that have been missing for quite some time. Golf is making a comeback to the Olympics for the first time in 112 years, which is pretty crazy when you think about it! The biggest names in golf will battle it out for a gold medal – something that they probably never thought they would have the chance to do in their lifetimes. Rugby sevens is also back as an Olympic sport after a gap of 92 years. This will definitely be full of action and excitement, plus, just like every other Olympic sport, the women’s rugby sevens will have equal coverage to the men’s – as it should!

Embrace the carnival spirit

Brazil is famous for its carnival spirit and this summer the entire world has been invited to join in the party! Rio de Janeiro is the carnival capital of the world. The Olympics are obviously primarily about the sports, but this year in Rio there’s sure to be a lot of dancing, singing and partying, as we all experience a flavour of Brazil’s lively capital. Even if you can’t be at this year’s Olympics in person, the power of the carnival spirit in Rio will no doubt spread across the globe. Get up, start moving and dance along with this year’s Olympic festivities!

Roar with British pride

The London 2012 Olympics was particularly special because of the glorious British athletes who made it so memorable. Sir Ben Ainslie became the greatest sailor in Olympic history, Sir Chris Hoy became Team GB’s most decorated Olympian and who can forget that wondrous night that saw Jessica Ennis-Hill, Mo Farah and Greg Rutherford all win gold for Team GB. We’re on the edge of our seats waiting to see what Great Britain’s best athletes will achieve this summer in Rio. Well-known sporting stars and fresh-faced hopefuls will use four years of hard training to chase their Olympic gold dreams and we’ll be cheering them on every step of the way!

Going for gold

In 2012, Team GB won an amazing record of 65 medals in the Olympic Games and this year there’s a possibility that we may do even better. It would be a phenomenal feat for Great Britain, as the previous host country, to increase its medal tally at the next Olympic Games. Since the modern Olympic era began in 1896, it has never been done. However, there’s a first for everything! UK Sport believes that Team GB is capable of winning a grand total of 79 Olympic medals at Rio 2016, which would be absolutely astounding. If the London 2012 Olympics proved anything, it’s that the exceptional is possible when you have enough determination, dedication and support from your country. So everyone – cross your fingers that Team GB will make history at the Rio 2016 Olympics this summer!