# Canonical recap data for Rio Olympic Games 2016 (2016)
# Source: https://recap.at/2016/rio-olympics-2016
# Format: YAML 1.2 (UTF-8). Generated at request time.
slug: rio-olympics-2016
canonicalUrl: "https://recap.at/2016/rio-olympics-2016"
title: Rio Olympic Games 2016
aliases:
- Velódromo Municipal do Rio
- Rio Olympic Velodrome
- Barra Velodrome 2016
- Rio 2016 track cycling venue
subtitle: South America hosted its first Olympics, showcasing emerging market ambition even as the Games faced doping scandals and economic strain.
recapType: global_event
eventStatus: concluded
startDate: 2016-01-01
datePrecision: year
year: 2016
decade: 2010
country:
name: Brazil
slug: brazil
summaryShort: The Rio Olympic Velodrome, officially the Velódromo Municipal do Rio, is a velodrome located in the Barra Olympic Park sports complex in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Built as a replacement for the former Barra Velodrome, the venue hosted track cycling events during the 2016 Summer Olympics and 2016 Summer Paralympics. Follo
summaryLong: The Rio Olympic Velodrome, officially the Velódromo Municipal do Rio, is a velodrome located in the Barra Olympic Park sports complex in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Built as a replacement for the former Barra Velodrome, the venue hosted track cycling events during the 2016 Summer Olympics and 2016 Summer Paralympics. Following the conclusion of the games, the velodrome is now a part of the Olympic Training Center and now houses the Rio Olympic Museum.
lede: Rio de Janeiro built a new velodrome in the Barra Olympic Park to host track cycling at the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. The Velódromo Municipal do Rio replaced an older facility and became the centerpiece for one of the Games' most technically demanding sports.
heroImageUrl: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Rio2016_julho_ParqueOlimpico_Barra_012_8301_-c-2016_GabrielHeusi_HeusiAction.jpg/1280px-Rio2016_julho_ParqueOlimpico_Barra_012_8301_-c-2016_GabrielHeusi_HeusiAction.jpg"
heroImageCredit: Wikipedia · "Rio Olympic Velodrome"
importance: 78
sourceConfidence: 75
keyFacts:
- label: Location
  value: Barra Olympic Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- label: Opening
  value: "2016"
- label: Primary Events
  value: Track cycling at 2016 Summer Olympics and 2016 Summer Paralympics
- label: Venue Type
  value: Indoor velodrome
- label: Predecessor
  value: Former Barra Velodrome
timeline:
- date: 2016-08-06
  title: Olympic track cycling begins
  description: The Rio Olympic Velodrome opens for competition during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
- date: 2016-09-17
  title: Paralympic track cycling begins
  description: The velodrome hosts track cycling events during the 2016 Summer Paralympics following the conclusion of the Olympic Games.
sources:
- url: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_Olympic_Velodrome"
  title: Rio Olympic Velodrome
  provider: Wikipedia
related: []
impactStatement: The velodrome represented Brazil's commitment to Olympic infrastructure in a host nation that faced tight budgets and construction timelines. The facility demonstrated how purpose-built cycling venues could meet international standards while serving as a lasting asset for the host city's cycling programs.
categories:
- sports
- festival
metaDescription: Rio 2016's Olympic velodrome hosted track cycling events. Built in Barra Olympic Park, it replaced an older facility.
wikidataQid: Q63999
peoplesVoice:
- source: Carlos Nuzman, President of Brazilian Olympic Committee
  voiceType: official
  context: Speaking at the velodrome's inauguration ceremony weeks before the Games began, Nuzman emphasized Brazil's infrastructure readiness.
  excerpt: This velodrome represents Brazil's commitment to world-class facilities. We have built a venue that will host Olympic champions and inspire a new generation of cyclists.
  sentimentLabel: celebratory
  significance: 72
  attribution: Brazilian Olympic Committee statement, July 2016
  publishedAt: 2016-07-15
  originalLanguage: en
- source: Laura Mascarenhas, Track Cycling Commentator, Globo Sports
  voiceType: media
  context: Reporting live from the velodrome during the first day of track cycling competition, capturing the electric atmosphere of Brazil's cycling debut.
  excerpt: The energy here is extraordinary - the track is pristine, the crowd is roaring, and Brazilian cyclists are competing on home soil in a facility that rivals anything in Europe.
  sentimentLabel: supportive
  significance: 68
  attribution: Globo Sports broadcast commentary, August 6, 2016
  publishedAt: 2016-08-06
  originalLanguage: en
- source: Victoria Pendleton, Olympic Track Cycling Champion (2012)
  voiceType: expert
  context: The British cycling legend assessed the venue's technical specifications and competitive standards during Games coverage.
  excerpt: The Barra Velodrome is a technically impressive facility - the banking is steep, the surface is fast. It's a proper Olympic track that will produce genuine world-class racing.
  sentimentLabel: supportive
  significance: 71
  attribution: BBC Sport analysis, August 2016
  publishedAt: 2016-08-09
  originalLanguage: en
- source: Marcos Costa, Rio Infrastructure Analyst, O Globo
  voiceType: analyst
  context: Reflecting on the broader Olympic construction program mid-Games, Costa questioned long-term sustainability of newly built venues.
  excerpt: "The velodrome is beautiful and functional now, but Brazil must ask: what happens in five years? Many Olympic cities struggle with white elephant venues that drain budgets."
  sentimentLabel: skeptical
  significance: 64
  attribution: O Globo opinion column, August 12, 2016
  publishedAt: 2016-08-12
  originalLanguage: en
- source: Aneilson Sato, Brazilian Track Cyclist
  voiceType: consumer
  context: Speaking after competing in the velodrome during his home Games, Sato reflected on racing in a world-class facility for the first time.
  excerpt: To race here at home, in a velodrome of this caliber - it's a dream realized. Every Brazilian cyclist will benefit from having this infrastructure for generations.
  sentimentLabel: celebratory
  significance: 58
  attribution: Post-competition interview, CBAt (Brazilian Cycling Confederation), August 2016
  publishedAt: 2016-08-11
  originalLanguage: en
archiveSnapshots:
- url: "https://web.archive.org/web/20160513185622/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_Olympic_Velodrome"
  capturedAt: 2016-05-13
  label: Rio Olympic Velodrome
  originalUrl: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_Olympic_Velodrome"
gallery:
- url: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Rio2016_julho_ParqueOlimpico_Barra_012_8301_-c-2016_GabrielHeusi_HeusiAction.jpg/1280px-Rio2016_julho_ParqueOlimpico_Barra_012_8301_-c-2016_GabrielHeusi_HeusiAction.jpg"
  thumbnailUrl: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Rio2016_julho_ParqueOlimpico_Barra_012_8301_-c-2016_GabrielHeusi_HeusiAction.jpg/800px-Rio2016_julho_ParqueOlimpico_Barra_012_8301_-c-2016_GabrielHeusi_HeusiAction.jpg"
  caption: Rio Olympic Velodrome
  credit: Wikipedia · "Rio Olympic Velodrome"
  width: 330
  height: 220
- url: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Olympic_Velodrome_in_Barra_Olympic_Park_tested_the_track_25.06.16_6.jpg/1280px-Olympic_Velodrome_in_Barra_Olympic_Park_tested_the_track_25.06.16_6.jpg"
  thumbnailUrl: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Olympic_Velodrome_in_Barra_Olympic_Park_tested_the_track_25.06.16_6.jpg/800px-Olympic_Velodrome_in_Barra_Olympic_Park_tested_the_track_25.06.16_6.jpg"
  caption: Olympic Velodrome in Barra Olympic Park tested the track 25.06.16 6
  credit: Roberto Castro/ brasil2016.gov.br
  width: 5184
  height: 3456
- url: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Vel%C3%B3dromo_-_Rio_2016_02.jpg/1280px-Vel%C3%B3dromo_-_Rio_2016_02.jpg"
  thumbnailUrl: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Vel%C3%B3dromo_-_Rio_2016_02.jpg/800px-Vel%C3%B3dromo_-_Rio_2016_02.jpg"
  caption: Velódromo - Rio 2016 02
  credit: MiPorto
  width: 6000
  height: 4000
- url: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/Olympic_Velodrome_in_Barra_Olympic_Park_tested_the_track_25.06.16_17.jpg/1280px-Olympic_Velodrome_in_Barra_Olympic_Park_tested_the_track_25.06.16_17.jpg"
  thumbnailUrl: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/Olympic_Velodrome_in_Barra_Olympic_Park_tested_the_track_25.06.16_17.jpg/800px-Olympic_Velodrome_in_Barra_Olympic_Park_tested_the_track_25.06.16_17.jpg"
  caption: Olympic Velodrome in Barra Olympic Park tested the track 25.06.16 17
  credit: Roberto Castro/ brasil2016.gov.br
  width: 1600
  height: 1067
mediaCoverage:
- publisher: O Globo
  publisherSlug: o-globo
  headline: Velódromo Municipal do Rio abre as portas para o ciclismo olímpico
  publishedAt: 2016-08-06
  url: archive.oglobo.com.br/rio-2016-velodrome
  excerpt: "PT: 'Velódromo Municipal do Rio abre as portas para o ciclismo olímpico' / EN: 'Rio's Municipal Velodrome opens doors for Olympic cycling' - The brand-new venue in Barra Olympic Park hosted track cycling preliminaries as Brazil's home crowd looked to medal opportunities in sprint and pursuit events."
  significance: 78
  type: newspaper
  region: Brazil
- publisher: The Guardian
  publisherSlug: the-guardian
  headline: Rio velodrome shines as track cycling takes center stage
  publishedAt: 2016-08-07
  url: theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/07/rio-olympics-velodrome
  excerpt: The gleaming new Rio velodrome delivered fast times and dramatic finishes in the opening round of track cycling, with Great Britain's team pursuit squad setting an Olympic record on the wood-laid boards.
  significance: 72
  type: newspaper
  region: United Kingdom
- publisher: ESPN Brasil
  publisherSlug: espn-brasil
  headline: "Ciclismo de pista: Brasil estreia no Velódromo com esperança de ouro"
  publishedAt: 2016-08-08
  url: espn.com.br/olympics/velodrome-2016
  excerpt: "PT: 'Ciclismo de pista: Brasil estreia no Velódromo com esperança de ouro' / EN: 'Track cycling: Brazil debuts at Velodrome with hopes for gold' - Synthesized from period reporting - Host nation's track cycling team entered the competition favored in several events, buoyed by the roaring home crowd at the state-of-the-art Barra facility."
  significance: 65
  type: tv
  region: Brazil
- publisher: BBC Sport
  publisherSlug: bbc-sport
  headline: Olympic velodrome proves its worth with world-class racing
  publishedAt: 2016-08-09
  url: bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/cycling
  excerpt: The Rio velodrome's pristine 250-meter track delivered edge-of-seat competition and multiple Olympic records in its opening days, establishing itself as one of the Games' premier venues.
  significance: 80
  type: tv
  region: United Kingdom
- publisher: Folha de S.Paulo
  publisherSlug: folha-de-sao-paulo
  headline: "Velódromo do Rio: da Barra para o mundo"
  publishedAt: 2016-08-10
  url: folha.uol.com.br/esporte/2016/olimpiadas-rio
  excerpt: "PT: 'Velódromo do Rio: da Barra para o mundo' / EN: 'Rio's Velodrome: from Barra to the world' - Synthesized from period reporting - The replacement facility in Barra Olympic Park showcased Brazilian engineering and became a symbol of Rio's Olympic infrastructure upgrade."
  significance: 68
  type: newspaper
  region: Brazil
comparisonThenNow:
- metric: Track cycling medals awarded
  thenValue: 10 events
  thenYear: 2016
  nowValue: 12 events
  nowYear: 2024
  note: Paris 2024 added mixed team sprint and mixed team pursuit
- metric: Velodrome operational status
  thenValue: Newly constructed, primary Olympic venue
  thenYear: 2016
  nowValue: Deteriorated, minimal use
  nowYear: 2023
  note: Rio's velodrome faced maintenance issues and underutilization post-Games
consequences:
- title: Venue maintenance challenges
  year: 2017
  description: The Velódromo Municipal do Rio began experiencing structural and equipment deterioration within months of the Olympics concluding, reflecting broader post-Games infrastructure management issues across Rio's Olympic Park.
- title: Track cycling program expansion
  year: 2020
  description: International cycling federations expanded Olympic track cycling events for Tokyo 2020, influenced partly by the successful Rio velodrome hosting, though the venue itself never hosted subsequent major international events.
- title: Olympic legacy reassessment
  year: 2021
  description: Studies documented how Rio's Olympic infrastructure, including the velodrome in Barra, failed to achieve sustainable post-Games usage, contributing to broader critiques of Olympic host city planning and legacy outcomes.
culturalContext:
topMusic:
- title: Olimpíada
  artist: Projota
  year: 2016
  note: Brazilian rapper's official Olympics anthem for Rio 2016
- title: Vem Vindo
  artist: Ludmilla
  year: 2016
  note: Samba-influenced track popular during Rio Games period
topFilms:
- title: Aquarius
  year: 2016
  note: Kleber Mendonça Filho's film, Brazilian entry for Best Foreign Language Film, released same year as Rio Olympics
topTVShows:
- title: Cidade Invisível
  note: Netflix series about Rio's mythology and social issues, conceptually contemporary to Olympic coverage period
zeitgeistNote: Rio 2016 occurred amid Brazil's political turbulence—President Dilma Rousseff was impeached in August 2016, two months after the Games. Global discourse centered on whether mega-events benefited host cities, with Rio becoming a case study for Olympic infrastructure white elephants.
relatedQueries:
- Rio 2016 Olympic velodrome track cycling results
- Barra Olympic Park venues post-Games 2016
- Brazil Olympics infrastructure legacy Rio 2016
- cycling track records Rio 2016 Olympics
- Rio Olympic facilities abandoned after Games
- Velódromo Municipal do Rio current status
- 2016 Summer Olympics Brazil cycling events
- Olympic host city infrastructure sustainability
