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2016 Olympics: Rio Games athletes' village unveiled

June 16, 2016 12:16 IST

The village will host more than 18,000 Olympic and Paralympic athletes, officials, staff and volunteers in 31 buildings and more than 3,600 apartments.

(From left-right) Minister of Sports Leonardo Picciani, Rio de Janeiro's Major Eduardo Paes, Rio 2016 Olympic Games Organising Committee President Carlos Arthur Nuzman and IOC President Thomas Bach during the unveiling of the 2016 Rio Games Athletes’ Village in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday

IMAGE: (From left-right) Minister of Sports Leonardo Picciani, Rio de Janeiro's Major Eduardo Paes, Rio 2016 Olympic Games Organising Committee President Carlos Arthur Nuzman and IOC President Thomas Bach during the unveiling of the 2016 Rio Games Athletes’ Village in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday. Photograph: Alexandre Loureiro/Getty Images

Despite financial and organisational problems that have delayed other construction projects for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, the largest athletes' village in the long history of the Games was unveiled in the city on Wednesday.

The village will host more than 18,000 Olympic and Paralympic athletes, officials, staff and volunteers in 31 buildings and more than 3,600 apartments.

It will be equipped with video games, musical instruments, beauticians, psychologists, a multi-faith religious centre, swimming pools and tennis courts.

"(The athletes) will prepare for their competitions but at the same time they will dine together, they will discuss together, they will celebrate together, and in doing so will send a strong message of understanding, peace and respect to the whole world," International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach said.

The first athletes are expected to arrive at the village on July 24 ahead of the August 5-21 Olympics.

Source: REUTERS
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