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The Rio 2016 Olympics will dominate headlines the next several weeks as the games take off Aug. 6 and run through Aug. 21.
While most people will be focusing on the amazing athletic talent that came to compete from around the world, Bisnow is checking out Brazil's awesome 32 venues—some of which were built specifically for the Olympics. Here are the top five.
Copacabana Beach Volleyball
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Year built: 2016
Events: Beach Volleyball
First event: Aug. 6
This massive all-things-beach-volleyball stadium is, unbelievably, only temporary. But that's because it's built right on the sands of Copacabana, what many consider the sport's spiritual home in Brazil.
Maracanã Stadium
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Year built: 1948
Events: Soccer, opening and closing ceremonies
First event: Aug. 6
Built for the 1950 World Cup, where 199,854 people flooded in to see the opening game (the most ever at that point), Maracanã Stadium is a well-known Brazilian landmark. It was modernized for the 2014 World Cup and in the Rio Olympics it will host the most important soccer matches, including all finals.
Olympic BMX Centre
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Year built: 2016
Events: BMX Cycling
First event: Aug. 17
Built specifically for Rio 2016, this BMX park wasn't designed to make it easy for riders—a series of ramps and sharp turns will test the best of Olympic ability. At more than 1,300 feet long, this obstacle course will be an intense post-Olympics legacy for future cyclists.
Olympic Golf Course
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Year built: 2016
Events: Golf
First event: Aug. 11
This golf course is the setting for the sport's return to the Olympics after more than a century hiatus. It was built especially for the Rio Olympics and is part of an environmental recovery project.
Whitewater Stadium
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Year built: 2016
Events: Canoe Slalom
First event: Aug. 7
Whitewater Stadium is one of the most technically complex Rio 2016 venues, complete with a long line of slalom rapids to be navigated by both canoe and kayak. The course holds over 6.5 million gallons of water in its two courses: one for the competitions and one for training.
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