On August 5, the four-year wait is over. The Summer Olympics will again return to our screens with our favorite athletes. August 5 will find us excitingly rooting for our country of heritage, or the great melting pot of the USA
The Olympics is an inspiring time of extreme athleticism and national pride. It's also a time where us non-athletes sit and watch the competitions in awe, and wish we would have taken up a sport and competed professionally.Here are some facts and reasons why you should tune into the Rio Games!
This summer's games will be the first-ever held in South America.
More than seven million tickets are up for sale.
There will be 10,500 athletes representing 205 countries.
The U.S. Women's soccer team have a chance at bringing home another victory after just winning the World Cup. There have only been five women’s soccer events in the Olympic games, and the U.S. has won four of these, remaining undefeated since the 2004 games.
Rio 2016 will most likely be Usain Bolt's final race.
Simone Biles, a four-foot-nine firecracker is definitely a name to watch. She’s remained undefeated since 2013, and is the current national and world champion gymnast
Golf will be returning after a 112-year absence. American architect Gil Hanse built an incredible course that both the men and women will compete on. This course will remain open as Brazil’s second public golf course. Rugby will also be returning after a 92-year absence.
The Rio games are the first to feature Olympians born in the year 2000.
In his fifth Olympic games, we'll see if Michael Phelps will add more gold medals to his already incredible career. Phelps is determined to uphold his title as the athlete who has won more Olympic medals than any other athlete in the world.
The closing and opening ceremonies are something you won't want to miss. They are stunning and beautifully patriotic team to see your country and flag represented.
We might even see a little friendly competition going on between Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles, if the girls make the team. Biles is definitely the one to beat, but Douglas has the experience.
Ibtihaj Muhammad will be the first U.S. athlete to compete in the Olympic games in a hijab, a headscarf worn by Muslim women.
India will send its first female gymnast, 22-year old Dipa Karmakar, to compete in the games this year. She is the first female from her country ever to qualify.
Once again, Bob Costas, along with Jim McKay will be one of the Olympic hosts, a job he has held since 1992.
There will be five to 10 athletes with refugee status who will compete in the Olympics this year. They have no national team or country they belong to, and will, therefore, march behind the Olympic flag and with the Olympic anthem.
Don't forget about the stylish outfits the United States athletes will be wearing during the opening and closing ceremonies that were designed by Polo Ralph Lauren.
Lastly, here are some Olympic tunes to get you pumped for Rio!