2016 Summer Olympics — Games of the XXXI Olympiad, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The 2016 Rio Games were the first Summer Olympics held in South America, featuring 11,238 athletes from 207 nations across 28 sports.
Key Facts
- Athletes
- 11,238 from 207 nations
- Medal events
- 306 sets of medals
- Sports contested
- 28 Olympic sports
- US gold medals
- 46 gold, 121 total
- Venues
- 33 in Rio + 5 in other Brazilian cities
- Dates
- 5–21 August 2016
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Rio de Janeiro was selected as host city at the 121st IOC Session in Copenhagen on 2 October 2009, making Brazil the first South American country awarded the Summer Games. The addition of rugby sevens and golf to the Olympic programme in 2009 expanded the event's scope ahead of these Games.
From 5 to 21 August 2016, the Games of the XXXI Olympiad took place across 38 venues in Rio de Janeiro and five other Brazilian cities. Over 11,000 athletes competed in 28 sports, with the United States topping the medal table and first-time entrants including Kosovo, South Sudan, and the Refugee Olympic Team participating.
The United States claimed its 1,000th Summer Olympic gold medal, while Great Britain became the first nation to improve its medal tally immediately after hosting. Nine nations and territories won their first-ever gold medals. Brazil achieved its best-ever Olympic result with seven gold medals and 19 total medals, finishing thirteenth overall.
Result
at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (33 venues)