Rio Olympic Sports an Events

[gotosy]

Taekwondo deal to allow North Koreans to compete at Olympics

SEOUL - Rival taekwondo governing bodies have reached a breakthrough agreement paving the way for North Koreans to compete in the sport at the Olympic Games, officials said Tuesday.

Following years of talks, the Seoul-based World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) and the North Korea-led International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) reached a memorandum of understanding last Thursday, WTF Spokesman Kang Seok-Jae told AFP.

"The agreement paved the way for North Koreans and other ITF-affiliated athletes to compete at the Games, as early as at the 2016 Rio Games," Kang said.

The WTF is the only international taekwondo body sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee, and previously only athletes from WTF member countries could compete at the Games.

The agreement between the two governing bodies was reached on the sidelines of the Youth Olympics in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing, Kang said.

The WTF's South Korean chief Choue Chung-Won and ITF president Chang Ung of North Korea signed the deal, with IOC President Thomas Bach in attendance.

"With this agreement, the WTF will do its upmost to ensure that every taekwondo athlete has the opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games," Choue said in a statement released by the governing body.

Chang said: "This is only the beginning of our cooperation and there will be more to achieve together."

Bach called the signing "a historic step for taekwondo".

"With common roots and a common history, the two federations belong to the same family and it is great to see such an accord," he said.

Under the agreement, WTF and ITF athletes will be free to compete in each other's competitions, but they will have to observe the host's competition rules.

AFP

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/428816/taekwondo-deal-to-allow-north-koreans-to-compete-at-olympics

[gotosy]

Olympic & Paralympic test event dates announced

ITU today announced that dates for test events ahead of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic and Paralympic Games have been confirmed. The 2015 Rio de Janeiro ITU World Olympic Qualification Event and World Paratriathlon Event will be held August 1-2.

“With the hunt for Olympic and Paralympic qualification points heating up in 2015, ITU is very much looking forward to again showcasing the sport of triathlon and also debuting paratriathlon on the most prestigious international stage for sport that exists,” said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado. “Copacabana Beach will be a beautiful backdrop for what we expect to be some phenomenal racing.”

The courses are slated to traverse along famous Copacabana Beach on restaurant-lined Avenida Atlantica, with the Olympic course also climbing through the streets of local neighbourhoods. As the races will offer the chance to view Olympic and Paralympic action for free while enjoying one of Rio de Janeiro’s most iconic destinations, massive crowds are again expected to turn out just as they did at the London Olympics and Rio Pan American Games.

The 2015 Rio de Janeiro ITU World Olympic Qualification Event will feature a start list of 75 men and women, with athletes obtaining slots for the race in the same manner as an ITU World Cup race.

Set to be contested on the same course as the Olympic Games, the Level 1 Olympic Qualification Event will offer the maximum level of Olympic qualification points available, putting it on par with the World Triathlon Series Grand Final. Prize money will not be offered at the race, nor will ITU World Cup or World Triathlon Series points be available at the test event.

The 2015 Rio de Janeiro ITU World Paratriathlon Event will also mimic the Paralympic Games course, with a minimum of 60 athletes set to participate.

Qualification criteria for the test event will match that of a World Paratriathlon Event and points earned at the race will go towards both Paralympic Qualification and ITU World Paratriathon Rankings.

The exact programme for the weekend of racing is to be determined and will be announced when set.

ITU

[gotosy]

Rio 2016 Olympic Games Will Start Swimming Prelims at 1PM, Finals at 10PM

For anybody on the east coast of the United States who was hoping that a Western Hemisphere Olympics would mean a prime-time television time slot for swimming, there’s always 2020.

According to Brazil’s Blog do Coach, at a meeting last week between Olympic organizers and FINA in Switzerland last week, the competition schedule was approved with a 1PM local start time for prelims, and a 10PM local start time for finals to accommodate the schedules of the television networks that own the rights.

What this likely means is that the 7-9PM primetime slot will be reserved for NBC’s typical “mass consumption” highlight package of the day’s best moments with look-ins around many sports, followed by the full airing of the swimming afterward (though that is speculative at this point).

It will still be a solid time slot for the Central time zone and the Mountain time zone, though the west coast may not see the swimming until later in the evening live on NBC.

That time converts to:

• Noon/9PM U.S./Canada East Coast time
• 9AM/6PM U.S/Canada West Coast Time
• 11PM/8AM Perth/Beijing Time
• Midnight/9AM Tokyo Time
• 2AM/11AM Sydney Time
• 6PM/3AM Moscow Time
• 3PM/Midnight London Time
• 5PM/2AM South Africa Time

http://swimswam.com/rio-2016-olympic-games-will-start-swimming-prelims-1pm-finals-10pm/

[gotosy]

Archers test Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic venue for the first time

The Sambodromo arena plays host to Brazil’s national archery championships this week…

This year’s national championships in Brazil is the first time an archery competition takes place in the next Olympic and Paralympic venue.

It’s the first of four times in the next two years the sport will call the Sambodromo home. At the end of 2015 is the official AcqueceRio test event – before the two Games in summer 2016.

While this competition is not an official test event for the Rio Games, the 216 Brazilian athletes at the event are the first to receive a first-hand experience of how it feels to shoot in the Sambodromo.

Among the competitors are Amazonian indigenous archers, who were selected as part of an outreach development programme to engage the native populace of the region with the sport ahead of the Olympics.

This year’s Archery World Cup and Youth Olympic Games silver medallist, 16-year-old Marcus DALMEDIA, is also shooting.

Rio 2016 and Brazilian Olympic Committee President Carlos NUZMAN and Rio Mayor Eduardo PAES attended the opening of the 40th Brazilian Archery Championships on Wednesday.

PAES shot the first arrow of the tournament under the coaching and guidance of DALMEIDA.

Qualification and eliminations run until late on Friday, with the finals held throughout Saturday.

The Sambodromo hosts the world-famous Rio carnival parades performed by the city’s samba schools each year, concerts for national and international artists – and is the first venue to be delivered for the Rio 2016 Games.

It underwent renovation in 2012, which expanded its capacity from 60,000 to 72,500 spectators.

As well as hosting the Olympic and Paralympic archery events at Rio 2016, the finishing line for the marathon will be situated in the Sambodromo.

Watch a live stream of finals matches from Brazil’s national championships this weekend.

World Archery

[gotosy]

Rio 2016 Olympic Games to have finals in the morning sessions

For the first time at an Olympic Games since 1988, the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will feature finals during the morning sessions of the athletics programme, the IAAF announced on Wednesday (19).

The full detailed competition programme will be released shortly but the IAAF Council approved the decision to have finals in the morning.

“Staging finals in the morning was done at the request of the Rio LOC and the Olympic Broadcasting Service, supported by the International Olympic Committee. Having finals in the morning will also ensure that we receive maximum visibility for athletics at the Olympics across all time zones,” said IAAF Competitions Director Paul Hardy.

“There will be 13 finals in the mornings: the five road events (three race walks and two marathons) and also eight events in the stadium.

“Out of those eight, there will be an even split between genders as well as between track and field events.

“The first final in the morning will be the women’s 10,000m on the opening day. We are obviously hoping that this will be an exciting race and set the tone for the whole of the athletics programme in Rio.

“Our prevailing view was that the leading distance runners will welcome this change to the athletics programme at the Olympics as they will often have competitions throughout the year in the morning, such as road or cross country races, and so will be accustomed to this timing,” added Hardy.

Hardy confirmed that here will be at least one final in each of the six morning sessions held in the stadium and at least one final in the morning of nine out of the 10 days of athletics competition.

IAAF

[Olympic Fan Darcy]

Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates says his organisation will fight what he calls an unreasonable proposal to hold some of the swimming finals at the 2016 Rio Games late at night.

American TV networks want the final sessions to begin at 10:00pm local time, meaning some gold medals would be decided after midnight. Coates said discussions were underway to change the draft schedule to protect the athletes. "It's a matter that the AOC will now take up with the international swimming body FINA and with the International Olympic Committee," he told reporters. "It's just an unreasonable demand on the athletes to be competing at that time of night." Coates said the requirement for medallists to undergo post-race drug testing was another problem with late starts.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-21/australian-olympic-committee-wants-to-fight-late-swimming-starts/5909720

Interesting to see NBC is already getting involved..

[Quaker2001]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-21/australian-olympic-committee-wants-to-fight-late-swimming-starts/5909720

Interesting to see NBC is already getting involved..

We've seen this movie before..

Anger at Beijing swimming switch

Needless to say, Australia had a much bigger stake in the start times from Beijing than they do here, so if they didn't get their way there, I can't see it happening here. In terms of their times, I don't know why this would bother them. It puts the finals later into the day for them, so it seems like it would be slightly friendlier start times in terms of their audience. And I'm sure (I've already seen comments about it) there will be an argument that says it's not good for the swimmers, but that's what they said about Beijing and world records were broken left and right there.

Was there any doubt NBC would exert their influence over the schedule? They always do, sometimes more successfully than others.

[gotosy]

Rio 2016 Olympic Road Race and Time Trial Courses Confirmed

Map of the Olympic Road Cycling Race, Rio 2016

©Rio 2016

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Rio 2016 Organising Committee have today confirmed the Rio 2016 Olympic Road Race course for Men and Women. The course, which is 256.4km long for Men (Saturday August 6th) and 130.3km for Women (Sunday August 7th) will:

• Start and finish in Flamengo Park;
• Pass through Copacabana, Ipanema, Barra and Reserva Beach;
• Include laps of the Grumari Circuit (one lap for women and four laps for men); the circuit includes two climbs: Grumari, a narrow climb and descent in a forested area which averages 7% over 1.2km with a maximum gradient of 13% and the Grota Funda climb which averages 4.5% over 2.1km with a maximum gradient of 6%; the circuit also includes a cobble stone section of 2km;
• Include a long coastal section at Reserva Beach and Barra;
• Include laps of the Canoas/Vista Chinesa Circuit (one for women and three for men); the circuit starts with Canoas climb continuing with Vista Chinesa climb over 8.9km uphill followed by a technical descent of 6km. Vista Chinesa is a monument located in Tijuca National Park
• Include a flat section of 20 kilometers through Ipanema and Copacabana.

In addition, the Grumari Time Trial Course has also been confirmed by the UCI and Rio 2016 Organising Committee. The course, which is 29.8km long uses the Grumari Circuit of the road race that includes the 1.2km climb up Grumari Road will see the race start and finish in Tim Maia Square along Pontal Beach. The women will complete one lap and the men will complete two laps of the circuit. The Time Trial for men and women will take place on Wednesday August 10th.

Speaking from the 127th IOC Session in Monaco, UCI President Brian Cookson welcomed the confirmation of the Rio 2016 Olympic Road Race and Time Trial courses and said: “The UCI has been working closely with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and Mayor Paes on the Road Race and Time Trial Courses for some time and I am delighted that the routes have now been agreed. The Road race mixes some of Rio de Janeiro’s most iconic backdrops such as Copacabana and Ipanema with some really testing sections such as the Grumari Circuit and the climb up to Canoas/Vista Chinesa. While the Time Trial course also includes the challenging topography of the area.The steep climb up Grumari Road, is sure to provide a unique test for Time Trial riders. Today’s confirmation of the Rio 2016 Road Race and Time Trial courses brings the start of Rio Games ever closer for riders across the world.”

Eduardo Paes, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro added: “The Olympic Road Race has historically incorporated iconic backdrops and Rio 2016 will be no exception. The eyes of the world will see the world’s best riders race alongside some of Rio’s well-know sites such as Copacabana and Ipanema. The route will also showcase areas of our great city that are less well known internationally such as Vista Chinesa. And I’m sure that the people of Rio de Janeiro will come out in huge numbers to cheer on riders right across this course.”

Agberto Guimaraes, Rio 2016 Sports Director added: “With less than two years to go until the start of the Rio Games, I’m delighted that we have finalised the Olympic Road Race and Time Trial routes which will provide a stunning backdrop for riders to compete, spectators to enjoy and a global TV audience to marvel. I would like to thank the UCI for its professionalism and assistance throughout this process. I and my colleagues look forward to working with the UCI on the Road Race and the other Olympic cycling events to ensure that we provide the perfect environment for riders to excel.”

UCI

[gotosy]

Athletics timetable for Rio 2016 Olympics published

Following the recent news that the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will feature finals during the morning sessions of the athletics programme, the IAAF has today published the full timetable.

“Staging finals in the morning was done at the request of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and the Olympic Broadcasting Service, supported by the International Olympic Committee,” said IAAF competitions director Paul Hardy. “Having finals in the morning will also ensure that we receive maximum visibility for athletics at the Olympic Games across all time zones.”

There is at least one final in all of the morning sessions. All five road events – the two marathons and the three race walk events – will be held in the morning sessions, although both 20km race walks will be in the early afternoon. Other morning finals include the women’s 10,000m, men’s and women’s 3000m steeplechase, men’s 400m hurdles, men’s triple jump, men’s and women’s discus, and the women’s hammer.

Download the full athletics timetable for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

IAAF

[Quaker2001]

Athletics timetable for Rio 2016 Olympics published

Following the recent news that the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will feature finals during the morning sessions of the athletics programme, the IAAF has today published the full timetable.

“Staging finals in the morning was done at the request of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and the Olympic Broadcasting Service, supported by the International Olympic Committee,” said IAAF competitions director Paul Hardy. “Having finals in the morning will also ensure that we receive maximum visibility for athletics at the Olympic Games across all time zones.”

There is at least one final in all of the morning sessions. All five road events – the two marathons and the three race walk events – will be held in the morning sessions, although both 20km race walks will be in the early afternoon. Other morning finals include the women’s 10,000m, men’s and women’s 3000m steeplechase, men’s 400m hurdles, men’s triple jump, men’s and women’s discus, and the women’s hammer.

I like it. Has me even more excited for track & field in Rio. Spreads some of the events around and hopefully means even more coverage (a lot of it live) here in the United States.

[gotosy]

Rio 2016 announces new venue for Olympic Games road cycling time trial event

Pontal Beach to provide famous setting, while road race will start and finish at the iconic Fort Copacabana

The Rio 2016 road cycling events will showcase some of the city's most beautiful spots

The Rio 2016 Organising Committee announced a new Olympic Games venue on Thursday (8 January). Pontal, located in the west of the city, will be the stage for the road cycling time trial event. It takes the total number of venues to 38 and is the 15th to be located in the Barra zone.

The temporary venue will host the mens and womens time trial races, in which riders leave the starting line individually, every 90 seconds, with the cyclist who completes the course in the fastest time winning the gold medal.

The time trial course will stretch for 29.8km through the picturesque neighbourhood of Grumari and will feature two climbs/descents, one through a forested area. The women will race over one lap while the men will complete nearly two laps, totalling 54.5km.

Pontal Beach was celebrated in a popular Brazilian song called Do Leme ao Pontal (From Leme to Pontal) by Tim Maia. The time trial course will start and finish in Tim Maia Square by Pontal Beach.

The time trial event moves to Pontal from Fort Copacabana, which will now stage the start and finish of road cyclings other event, the road race (along with the triathlon, paratriathlon and marathon swimming competitions).

The road race, whose start/finish moves to Copacabana from Flamengo Park, will be 256.4km for men and 130.3 km for women. It will pass by some of Rio most iconic locations, such as Copacabana, Ipanema, São Conrado, Barra da Tijuca, Grumari and the Tijuca Forest.

With long flat coastal stretches and steep climbs and descents, it promises to test the worlds best riders in a majestic setting. It will include the Grumari circuit (four laps for men, one for women) and a climb and descent in the Tijuca Forest, in a section called the Canoas/Vista Chinesa Circuit (three laps for men, one for women). This section will pass the Vista Chinesa monument, which offers one of the best viewing points in Rio.

http://mobile.rio2016.com/en#/noticias/248325

[gotosy]

Rio 2016 Road Race route adapted to start and finish at Copacabana16 January 2015

Panoramic view of Copacabana with the Fort in the foreground where Rio 2016 cycling's road race will start and finish

©Rio 2016

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is pleased to confirm that the Men’s and Women’s Rio 2016 Olympic Road Race course has been adapted and will now start and finish at the Fort of the iconic Copacabana beach.

With a combination of steep climbs and descents and long flat coastal sections, the Road Race will pass through some of the most picturesque parts of the city including the start/finish in Copacabana, as well as Ipanema, São Conrado, Barra da Tijuca, Grumari and Vista Chinesa. The total race distance is 256.4km for men and 130.3km for women.

The route will also take in the Grumari circuit with a steep climb and a 2km cobble stone section. Then return towards Copacabana with a challenging circuit that climbs and descends through the stunning Tijuca Forest and passes the Vista Chinesa monument, one of the best landscape viewpoints in Rio. The Men’s race will take place on Saturday 6th August with the Women’s race taking place on Sunday 7th August.

The 29.8km Time Trial route will also pass through the beaches and forests of the Grumari countryside in the picturesque Pontal region in the west of the city. The Time Trial will start and finish at Praça Tim Maia at Pedra do Pontal and will include a 1.2km hill climb. The new facilities, which will be used exclusively for the Time Trial event, will be at the heart of the Olympic action and the temporary venue is one of 15 to be located in the Barra Zone.

The men’s race will complete two laps of the course (totalling 54.5km) while the women’s race will complete one lap of the same course.

UCI President, Brian Cookson, said:

“The UCI has been working in close collaboration with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and Mayor Paes and we welcome the modifications to the Road Race route which will now start and finish at the renowned Fort Copacabana. The combination of the stunning scenery and the stern challenge that the Road Race and Time Trial courses will provide will deliver a fantastic spectacle for cycling fans and we’re looking forward with anticipation and excitement to the start of the Games.”

Note to Editors:

As announced in December, the Men’s and Women’s Road Race will:

 Include long coastal sections alongside Copacabana, Ipanema, Barra and Reserva Beaches;

 Include laps of the Grumari Circuit (one lap for women and four laps for men)

o The circuit includes two climbs: Grumari, a narrow climb and descent in a forested area which averages 7% gradient over 1.2km with a maximum gradient of 13%; and the Grota Funda climb which averages 4.5% gradient over 2.1km with a maximum gradient of 6%

o The circuit also includes a cobble stone section of 2km

 Include laps of the Canoas/Vista Chinesa Circuit (one for women and three for men)

o The circuit starts with the Canoas climb continuing with the Vista Chinesa climb over 8.9km followed by a technical descent of 6km.

o Vista Chinesa is a monument located in Tijuca National Park

UCI

[gotosy]

Rio 2016 releases test event calendar with details of 44 Olympic and Paralympic competitions

The Rio 2016 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games released its test event calendar on Wednesday (18 March), providing details of the 44 competitions that will allow organisers to finalise preparations for the Games. More than 7,800 athletes will compete in the events, some of which will offer qualification for the Games, between July 2015 and May 2016.

“We have worked closely together with the sport federations to develop a test event calendar that will offer the best opportunity to carry out the vital testing and training required to prepare for the Games,” said Agberto Guimarães, Rio 2016 Executive Director of Sport and Paralympic Integration.

“I have no doubt we will learn many important lessons from the test events, which we will use to ensure we deliver the highest level of service possible at Games time. Just like the athletes, the organising committee is in training, gaining experience and aiming to reach peak performance in August and September 2016.”

Volleyball will be the first sport to have a Rio 2016 test event in 2015, with the FIVB World League Finals taking place from 14-19 July in the Maracanãzinho, followed by six events in August including the triathlon event in Copacabana on 1-2 August, the World Rowing Junior Championship at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas from 5-9 August and the Aquece Rio International Horse Trials at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in Deodoro from 6-9 August.

There will be 34 Olympic test events, six Paralympic test events and four that will include both Olympic and Paralympic sports. About 16,000 volunteers will help stage the competitions, which will take place across 156 days of competition in total.

The events provide an important opportunity to test the competition areas and results systems, as well as integrating all the relevant stakeholders and training the teams of people who will be responsible for running the events during the Games.

“Test events are a crucial part of the preparations for staging Olympic and Paralympic Games, allowing the organising committee and its partners – in particular the International Sports Federations and government partners – to test all aspects of venue operations,” said Delphine Moulin, Rio 2016 Test Events General Manager.

The first cluster – or ‘wave’ – of events will be between July and October 2015, focusing on outdoor events. The second, from November 2015 to February 2016, will be more focused on indoor events, while the last, between March and May 2016, will allow preparations to be finalised.

Some of the events will be organised by the Rio 2016 Organising Committee, under the banner of the Aquece Rio (‘Rio Warms Up’) series, while others will be staged by the respective International Sports Federations, Brazilian Federations or the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, although Rio 2016 will test specific operations during these events.

Events such as gymnastics and triathlon will provide direct Rio 2016 Games qualification opportunities, while others such as badminton, shooting and athletics offer the chance for athletes to gain ranking points or meet minimum qualification criteria in their quest for Olympic qualification.

Some events will be ticketed, while others will not be open to spectators. Ticketing information will be communicated at a later date. There will also be events – such as such as triathlon, sailing, marathon swimming and road cycling – that the public will be able to see without tickets.

In total, 45 test events will have been staged when the programme finishes in May 2016. The Aquece Rio International Sailing Regatta in August 2014 was the first Rio 2016 test event to take place.

See below for the list of test events:

WAVE 1 - AUGUST TO OCTOBER 2015

SPORT EVENT DATE VENUE Volleyball FIVB 2015 World League Finals 14-19/07/2015 Maracanãzinho Triathlon/Paratriathlon Aquece Rio Triathlon Olympic Qualifier and Paratriathlon Event 01-02/08/2015 Fort Copacabana Rowing 2015 World Rowing Junior Championship 05-09/08/2015 Lagoa Stadium Equestrian Aquece Rio International Horse Trials 06-09/08/2015 Olympic Equestrian Centre Sailing Aquece Rio International Sailing Regatta 2015 15-22/08/2015 Marina da Glória Road Cycling Aquece Rio International Road Cycling Challenge 16/08/2015 Fort Copacabana Marathon Swimming Aquece Rio International Marathon Swimming Event 22-23/08/2015 Fort Copacabana Beach Volleyball FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour 01-06/09/2015 Beach Volleyball Arena Canoe Sprint/Paracanoe Aquece Rio International Canoe Sprint 04-06/09/2015 Lagoa Stadium

Archery/Paralympic Archery

Aquece Rio International Archery Challenge 15-22/09/2015 Sambódromo BMX Cycling Aquece Rio International BMX Challenge 03-04/10/2015 Olympic BMX Centre Mountain Bike Aquece Rio International Mountain Bike Challenge 11/10/2015 Mountain Bike Centre

WAVE 2 - NOVEMBER 2015 TO FEBRUARY 2016

SPORT EVENT DATE VENUE Boccia Aquece Rio International Boccia Tournament 12-14/11/2015 Riocentro - Pavillion 4 Table Tennis Aquece Rio International Table Tennis Tournament 18-21/11/2015 Riocentro - Pavillion 4 Water Polo Aquece Rio International Water Polo Tournament 18-22/11/2015 Julio de Lamare Aquatics Centre Hockey Aquece Rio International Hockey Championship 24-28/11/2015 Olympic Hockey Centre Badminton BWF Grand Prix 24-29/11/2015 Riocentro - Pavillion 4 Canoe Slalom Aquece Rio International Canoe Slalom 26-29/11/2015 Whitewater Stadium Golf

Aquece Rio International Golf Challenge

26-29/11/2015 Olympic Golf Course Boxing Aquece Rio International Boxing Tournament 01-06/12/2015 Riocentro - Pavillion 4 Tennis/Wheelchair Tennis Brazil Masters Cup 10-12/12/2015 Olympic Tennis Centre Basketball Aquece Rio International Women's Basketball Tournament 15-17/01/2016 Carioca Arena 1 Judo Aquece Rio International Judo Tournament 16-17/01/2016 Carioca Arena 2 Powerlifting IPC Powerlifting Americas World Cup 19-22/01/2016 Carioca Arena 2 Taekwondo Aquece Rio International Taekwondo Tournament 23-24/01/2016 Carioca Arena 3 Wheelchair Rugby Aquece Rio International Wheelchair Rugby Championship 29-31/01/2016 Carioca Arena 1 Wrestling Aquece Rio International Women's Wrestling Tournament 30-31/01/2016 Carioca Arena 2 Diving FINA Diving World Cup 19-24/02/2016 Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre Race Walk National Race Walk Championship 28/02/2016 To be confirmed

WAVE 3 - MARCH TO MAY 2016

SPORT EVENT DATE VENUE Synchronised Swimming Olympic Games Synchronised Swimming Qualification Tournament 2016 02-06/03/2016 Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre Rugby Aquece Rio International Women's Rugby Sevens 05-06/03/2016 Deodoro Stadium Modern Pentathlon UIPM World Cup 2 10-14/03/2016 Deodoro Stadium/Deodoro Aquatics Centre/ Youth Arena Track Cycling Aquece Rio International Track Cycling Challenge 18-20/03/2016 Rio Olympic Velodrome Weightlifting South American Championship 07-10/04/2016 Carioca Arena 3 Football National Championship Match 09/04/2016

http://www.rio2016.org/en/news/news/rio-2016-releases-test-event-calendar-with-details-of-44-olympic-and-paralympic-competitio

Test Event Calendar (PDF)

[Martijn]

Rio 2016 Explanatory guides: http://doc.rero.ch/record/256687?ln=en

[DannyelBrazil]

Rio 2016 Olympic Road Race and Time Trial Courses Confirmed

Map of the Olympic Road Cycling Race, Rio 2016

©Rio 2016

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Rio 2016 Organising Committee have today confirmed the Rio 2016 Olympic Road Race course for Men and Women. The course, which is 256.4km long for Men (Saturday August 6th) and 130.3km for Women (Sunday August 7th) will:

• Start and finish in Flamengo Park;
• Pass through Copacabana, Ipanema, Barra and Reserva Beach;
• Include laps of the Grumari Circuit (one lap for women and four laps for men); the circuit includes two climbs: Grumari, a narrow climb and descent in a forested area which averages 7% over 1.2km with a maximum gradient of 13% and the Grota Funda climb which averages 4.5% over 2.1km with a maximum gradient of 6%; the circuit also includes a cobble stone section of 2km;
• Include a long coastal section at Reserva Beach and Barra;
• Include laps of the Canoas/Vista Chinesa Circuit (one for women and three for men); the circuit starts with Canoas climb continuing with Vista Chinesa climb over 8.9km uphill followed by a technical descent of 6km. Vista Chinesa is a monument located in Tijuca National Park
• Include a flat section of 20 kilometers through Ipanema and Copacabana.

In addition, the Grumari Time Trial Course has also been confirmed by the UCI and Rio 2016 Organising Committee. The course, which is 29.8km long uses the Grumari Circuit of the road race that includes the 1.2km climb up Grumari Road will see the race start and finish in Tim Maia Square along Pontal Beach. The women will complete one lap and the men will complete two laps of the circuit. The Time Trial for men and women will take place on Wednesday August 10th.

Speaking from the 127th IOC Session in Monaco, UCI President Brian Cookson welcomed the confirmation of the Rio 2016 Olympic Road Race and Time Trial courses and said: “The UCI has been working closely with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and Mayor Paes on the Road Race and Time Trial Courses for some time and I am delighted that the routes have now been agreed. The Road race mixes some of Rio de Janeiro’s most iconic backdrops such as Copacabana and Ipanema with some really testing sections such as the Grumari Circuit and the climb up to Canoas/Vista Chinesa. While the Time Trial course also includes the challenging topography of the area.The steep climb up Grumari Road, is sure to provide a unique test for Time Trial riders. Today’s confirmation of the Rio 2016 Road Race and Time Trial courses brings the start of Rio Games ever closer for riders across the world.”

Eduardo Paes, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro added: “The Olympic Road Race has historically incorporated iconic backdrops and Rio 2016 will be no exception. The eyes of the world will see the world’s best riders race alongside some of Rio’s well-know sites such as Copacabana and Ipanema. The route will also showcase areas of our great city that are less well known internationally such as Vista Chinesa. And I’m sure that the people of Rio de Janeiro will come out in huge numbers to cheer on riders right across this course.”

Agberto Guimaraes, Rio 2016 Sports Director added: “With less than two years to go until the start of the Rio Games, I’m delighted that we have finalised the Olympic Road Race and Time Trial routes which will provide a stunning backdrop for riders to compete, spectators to enjoy and a global TV audience to marvel. I would like to thank the UCI for its professionalism and assistance throughout this process. I and my colleagues look forward to working with the UCI on the Road Race and the other Olympic cycling events to ensure that we provide the perfect environment for riders to excel.”

UCI

The landscape in this area:

Pontal neighbourhood

[Rastafounder]

Rio 2016 Road Race route adapted to start and finish at Copacabana 16 January 2015

Panoramic view of Copacabana with the Fort in the foreground where Rio 2016 cycling's road race will start and finish

©Rio 2016

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is pleased to confirm that the Men’s and Women’s Rio 2016 Olympic Road Race course has been adapted and will now start and finish at the Fort of the iconic Copacabana beach.

With a combination of steep climbs and descents and long flat coastal sections, the Road Race will pass through some of the most picturesque parts of the city including the start/finish in Copacabana, as well as Ipanema, São Conrado, Barra da Tijuca, Grumari and Vista Chinesa. The total race distance is 256.4km for men and 130.3km for women.

The route will also take in the Grumari circuit with a steep climb and a 2km cobble stone section. Then return towards Copacabana with a challenging circuit that climbs and descends through the stunning Tijuca Forest and passes the Vista Chinesa monument, one of the best landscape viewpoints in Rio. The Men’s race will take place on Saturday 6th August with the Women’s race taking place on Sunday 7th August.

The 29.8km Time Trial route will also pass through the beaches and forests of the Grumari countryside in the picturesque Pontal region in the west of the city. The Time Trial will start and finish at Praça Tim Maia at Pedra do Pontal and will include a 1.2km hill climb. The new facilities, which will be used exclusively for the Time Trial event, will be at the heart of the Olympic action and the temporary venue is one of 15 to be located in the Barra Zone.

The men’s race will complete two laps of the course (totalling 54.5km) while the women’s race will complete one lap of the same course.

UCI President, Brian Cookson, said:

“The UCI has been working in close collaboration with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and Mayor Paes and we welcome the modifications to the Road Race route which will now start and finish at the renowned Fort Copacabana. The combination of the stunning scenery and the stern challenge that the Road Race and Time Trial courses will provide will deliver a fantastic spectacle for cycling fans and we’re looking forward with anticipation and excitement to the start of the Games.”

Note to Editors:

As announced in December, the Men’s and Women’s Road Race will:

 Include long coastal sections alongside Copacabana, Ipanema, Barra and Reserva Beaches;

 Include laps of the Grumari Circuit (one lap for women and four laps for men)

o The circuit includes two climbs: Grumari, a narrow climb and descent in a forested area which averages 7% gradient over 1.2km with a maximum gradient of 13%; and the Grota Funda climb which averages 4.5% gradient over 2.1km with a maximum gradient of 6%

o The circuit also includes a cobble stone section of 2km

 Include laps of the Canoas/Vista Chinesa Circuit (one for women and three for men)

o The circuit starts with the Canoas climb continuing with the Vista Chinesa climb over 8.9km followed by a technical descent of 6km.

o Vista Chinesa is a monument located in Tijuca National Park

UCI

@ Dannyel:

This is the new course for the road race.

start and finish is not at Flamengo Park.

[DannyelBrazil]

@ Dannyel:

This is the new course for the road race.

start and finish is not at Flamengo Park.

Oh, thank you!

Anyway the pics shows Grumari circuit and Pontal neighbourhood. According to the new text, they are still inside the circuit.

[Rastafounder]

Pictures are great

[baron-pierreIV]

New sport just added for 2016!!

[gotosy]

Rio 2016: Professional boxers could compete at Olympic Games

[Cauê]

Grumari is one of the most beautiful areas in Rio. Is not Copacabana or Ipanema (the most touristic areas of Rio), but, for me, Grumari is the most amazing place. I love

[gotosy]

Wrestling sanctioning body approves new uniforms

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (AP) — International wrestling is about to get a lot more colorful.

United World Wrestling, the sport's sanctioning body, announced Friday that it will allow nations to replace the standard red and blue singlets with ones featuring their home colors.

The new uniforms will come in light and dark, and feature red and blue markings. Red and blue singlets were previously used to help referees distinguish the athletes, but often made it tough for fans to tell which country the wrestlers represented.

The new guidelines will take effect starting with Olympic qualifying events in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in April.

The move is part of the sport's ongoing efforts to modernize in the wake of the IOC's decision to remove wrestling from the Olympic program in 2013. The sport was reinstated eight months later.

AP

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/9c79f942272b40abaf80e8286e454e39/wrestling-sanctioning-body-approves-new-uniforms

[baron-pierreIV]

Wrestling sanctioning body approves new uniforms

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (AP) — International wrestling is about to get a lot more colorful.

United World Wrestling, the sport's sanctioning body, announced Friday that it will allow nations to replace the standard red and blue singlets with ones featuring their home colors.

The new uniforms will come in light and dark, and feature red and blue markings. Red and blue singlets were previously used to help referees distinguish the athletes, but often made it tough for fans to tell which country the wrestlers represented.

The new guidelines will take effect starting with Olympic qualifying events in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in April.

The move is part of the sport's ongoing efforts to modernize in the wake of the IOC's decision to remove wrestling from the Olympic program in 2013. The sport was reinstated eight months later.

AP

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/9c79f942272b40abaf80e8286e454e39/wrestling-sanctioning-body-approves-new-uniforms

How about designs like these??..