Get your DVR set to record, pause your Netflix binging and ready you’re biggest TV because the 2016 summer olympics begins in 38 days at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro! The games will take place from August 5 to 21. I don’t know about you, but I count down the days for this monumental, historical event that only happens once every two years. Sure, the winter olympics is cool and all to watch, but nothing beats the excitement of the summer games. Yourself and millions of people around the globe are given the opportunity to watch the world's top athletes compete in gymnastics, swimming, beach volleyball, hockey, diving, track and field, soccer, wrestling, tennis and many more. Let’s take a few moments to talk about these athletes.
These individuals train their entire lives for their chance at their shot at a golden medal in their sport. Competing in the Olympic games is every athlete’s dream and takes huge amounts of strength, commitment, training and determination to get them there. They not only have to undergo intense amounts of training and preparation, but also have to come out on top of their qualifying events to secure their place on their country's team in their particular sport. Ever felt pressure? Not anything like what these athletes will feel.
There will be more than 400 athletes from the United States who will compete in Rio this year. Almost always, our great nation comes through with wins. Although we didn’t come out on top in 2014, we can’t forget about London. The U.S. athletes left the 2012 games with a total of 104 medals (46 gold, 28 silver and 29 bronze), finishing at the top of the gold and overall medal standings. I have a feeling we’re going to come out of these games on top once again and show the world what our incredible athletes have to offer.
Worried about missing everything because of the time difference? Well, there isn’t much of one this year! London was five hours ahead, Sochi was nine, but to soothe your worries, Rio is only one hour ahead of the Eastern time zone. What does this mean? Most of the events will be broadcasted in prime time! You’ll get to watch history happen live. This also means that the Rio Games are predicted to be the most-watched TV event in U.S. history.
Top events and facts that you won’t want to miss out on:
1. Kerri Walsh Jennings will compete in her fifth Olympics this year, but with a different partner. Hopefully April Ross and she will come out on top with the gold again and will allow Walsh Jennings to leave with her fourth straight gold medal.
2. This will be the first time in history that the Olympics will watch the reigning World Cup champions compete in women’s soccer. The U.S. women’s team has a great chance to win another gold medal this year, and you won’t want to miss watching these women play.
3. Ibtihaj Muhammad will be the first U.S. athlete to compete in the Olympic games in a hijab, a headscarf worn by Muslim women. Not only a step toward ending Islamophobia, but an amazing step for Muslim women everywhere.
4. There are 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
5. Keep an eye out for the stylish outfits the United States athletes will be wearing during the opening and closing ceremonies that were designed by Polo Ralph Lauren. They will compete in sports gear designed by Nike throughout the games, as well. Nike worked hard to have the gear include breakthrough technology to help the Olympic athletes bring back as many medals as possible; these cutting-edge uniforms were tested in wind tunnels to make sure that the athletes can move as fast as possible. 
6. Bob Costas, you’re favorite host, will, yet again, be standing along side Jim McKay as one of your Olympic hosts. He has had this job (more of an honor) since 1992. 
7. 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.
8. If the girls make it to the team, Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles will battle it out on the gymnastics floor. Gabby has the experience behind her, but Biles is a force to be reckoned with. Who will come out on top?
9. Golf has returned as a sport in this Olympic games. It has had a 112-year absence that many were happy to see end. 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.
10. See if the legendary Michael Phelps will add to his incredible Olympic career with more gold medals in his fifth Olympics, which might just be his last. Despite some troubles he has gotten himself into, Phelps is determined to uphold his title as the athlete who has won more Olympic medals than any other athlete in the world.
Whether you’re looking forward to watching new faces (Katie Ledecky, Simone Biles, Chris Brooks) or old ones (Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, Kerri Walsh Jennings), this year's Olympics is sure to make the world witness history. Gather up your best red, white and blue, and cheer on our nation as we take on the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio!
