Rio Olympic Museum opens to commemorate 9 years since the 2016 Games

Rio City Hall inaugurated the Rio Olympic Museum this Sunday (03/08) at the Olympic Park Velodrome, during the celebrations of nine years since the 2016 Games. The installation aims to promote Olympic values, immortalize the history of the first edition of the event held in South America and tell the story of the entire transformation of the capital of Rio de Janeiro into a better place for the people of Rio.

"The Rio 2016 Olympics weren't a midsummer night's dream. They were a strategic vision in the city's best interests. We had the capacity to execute and deliver. The legacy is incredible! We don't have any white elephants. At least 600 people leave their homes every day, go to work or leisure, and save two or three hours a day, thanks to the infrastructure investments made in the city during the Rio Olympic Games," said Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes.

The Rio Olympic Museum was born as a cultural landmark in South America, integrating sport, education, and social transformation under the Olympic spirit. For this reason, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already accepted it as a member of its Olympic Museum Network. The facility, which covers approximately 1.700 square meters, was built on the upper ring of the Velodrome, without any impact on the cycling activities that continue to take place there.

With a collection of over a thousand pieces, 13 themed areas, and 80 experiences, the Rio Olympic Museum also stands out for its innovative and modernity. Visitors will relive all the details of the celebration, the works completed, and the legacy through immersive activities, inclusive narratives, and initiatives that connect sports, culture, and education.

"The museum is a landmark for the city government, building sporting and cultural values in every aspect. The Rio 2016 Games were immeasurable. I'm certain the museum was created to ensure no one forgets. It's a commitment, especially to the youth, to show how a country can produce champions," said Bernard Rajzman, member and representative of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and Olympic volleyball medalist at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

Among the existing experiences, the public is invited to experiment, decide, and reflect. They will be able to interactively "explode" the Perimetral Elevated, "exercise" like a real gymnast on the rings, or "practice canoe slalom." The 100m sprint, balance beam exercises, basketball, and other sports will also offer an immersive and technological experience.

With emotion, Paralympic judoka Willians Araújo, a gold medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, recalled competing in Rio in 2016 and winning silver. A feeling, he says, greater than being an Olympic champion.

"I had the opportunity to compete close to my family. The transformation of the disabled population was significant after the 2016 Games. The museum will immortalize these moments," he said.

The history of the Rio 2016 Games will be told from the beginning of the bid, and every transformation the city has undergone will be portrayed in an informative and dynamic way. The revitalization of the Port Region and the new integrated transportation system with the BRT and VLT are examples of the changes recorded by the museum.

The post-2016 Games legacies are also showcased: such as the Arena Carioca 3 (venue of the Olympic fencing and Paralympic judo competitions) being transformed into the first Olympic facility to be converted into a school; the so-called "nomadic architecture" with the dismantling of the Arena do Futuro (venue of the Olympic handball and Paralympic goalball competitions) to build four public schools; and the creation of the Gentileza Intermodal Terminal, and the Madureira, Rita Lee, Radical de Deodoro, and Oeste parks.

In addition to the immersive experiences, visitors will come into contact with various relics from the Rio 2016 Games, such as the torch, medals, coins, tickets, stationery, and uniforms from the Opening Ceremony and the torch relay. Other attractions include the ball from the men's volleyball final that gave Brazil the gold medal and the black belt from the kimono of judoka Rafaela Silva, Olympic champion in Rio.

"The museum is a gateway to connecting idols from the past, present, and future. Sports culture is paramount, and preserving it is essential. The museum preserves the memory of what we experienced here. And more than that: the museum is a symbol of what was created from the major events Rio hosted. It's a legacy for sport," emphasized Fabi, two-time Olympic volleyball champion and medalist at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

In August and September, the Rio Olympic Museum will operate under a soft opening model, which means a gradual, controlled opening so that the entire system can be tested and the experience can be as optimal as possible for the public. It will be open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 14 p.m., and admission will be free during this period.

Up to 120 people per day, divided into groups of 30, will be able to visit the Rio Olympic Museum. Visits must be scheduled, starting Monday (August 04th), through the website: www.museuolimpico.rio.

Day One: Nine Years of Rio 2016

The museum's first day of operation will be Tuesday, August 05th, marking the ninth anniversary of the Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony. To accommodate the installation, the Velodrome underwent a renovation, with several structural improvements. Renovations were made to the roof and facade, ensuring greater modernity and comfort.

One of the architectural highlights of the Rio Olympic Museum is the route formed by sequential and colorful rings, called “Cariocas”, which vary from 2,9 to 6,5 meters in diameter.

The space's infrastructure has also undergone improvements. Accessibility has been improved with the construction of a new ramp and the installation of an elevator exclusively for visitors.

The project also included the acquisition of two new air conditioning units, the redesign of the climate control automation system, and the installation of new security cameras. Elevators, the roof, and the access ramp were restored, and the fire and panic control system was modernized to meet current technical standards.