Get Set for the Road to Rio

The Olympic Games in Rio 2016

The Paralympic Games in Rio 2016

The 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games are being held in Rio de Janeiro. Where is Rio?

Over 8,000 kilometers from the United Kingdom lies the continent of South America.

Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west it is home to 13 countries.

The Andes, the longest mountain range in the world stretches almost the length of the continent.

The Amazon River, the second largest river in the world, flows across the continent.

The Largest Country in South America is Brazil The Largest Country in South America is Brazil. Here, people are busy preparing to welcome the world to the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

With its beautiful beaches and spectacular countryside, the host city, Rio de Janeiro, is being transformed to welcome the athletes, spectators, volunteers, coaches, support staff and officials to the Rio 2016 Games.

Further afield, Brasilia, the capital city of Brazil, along with San Paulo, Belo Horizonte and Salvador are making preparations to host Olympic football matches.

Others cities in Brazil are also preparing for the arrival of athletes, their coaches and support teams to their pre-Games training camps. The city of Belo Horizonte will welcome Team GB and ParalympicsGB.

Across Brazil, teams of workers and volunteers are working together to plan for the Games.

Construction workers, engineers and designers are creating 37 modern, exciting, safe competition venues for the 42 sports that will be contested.

The Olympic village is being built to accommodate 10,500 athletes from around the world.

Teams of dancers, musicians and entertainers will soon be busy rehearsing their performances for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Over 70,000 volunteers are being selected and trained to undertake many different roles during the Games – just like the Games Makers that helped to make London 2012 such a success.

All around the world the athletes too are busy preparing for the Games All around the world the athletes too are busy preparing for the Games. Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are training hard to qualify for Team GB and ParalympicsGB.

Olympic and Paralympic superstars will be competing against stars of the future to gain their places in Team GB and ParalympicsGB.

Look out for the stars of the London 2012 Games who are hoping to qualify for the Rio 2016 Games.

Here are our Team GB and ParalympicsGB ones to watch for the Rio 2016 Games – they are all busy training and competing to try and gain a spot on the team.

You too can begin to prepare for the fun and excitement of the Rio 2016 Games.

Like the many teams working together to transform Rio de Janeiro, we want you to practise working in teams too …and take on a new exciting challenge!

The Road to Rio app is here! Now you can travel the distance to Rio doing your favourite sports and games. Check out the Road to Rio app here

Working in teams your challenge is to cover as many kilometres as you can. Who can get to Rio first?