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 Cities around the world illuminated on 27 April to celebrate what will be the first Olympic Games in South America. London, Tokyo, Atlanta and Doha decked out their landmarks in the green and yellow of Brazil to mark 100 days until the Opening Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro and to set the tone for an amiable, peaceful and celebratory mega-event organised by cariocas [people from Rio].Rio de Janeiro is renowned all over the world for its spectacular beaches and iconic monuments Ð none of which is more recognisable than the Christ the Redeemer statue which overlooks the city Ð and will provide a picture-postcard setting for the Games of the XXXI Olympiad. The athletes are guaranteed to receive a warm welcome from the host city’s vibrant population, already the cultural heartbeat of Brazil’s famous Carnival celebration, but who are now set to stage the world’s biggest party.The Rio 2016 Organising Committee has reached the home straight of Olympic preparations through careful planning from the outset, which has cushioned the Games from political and economic turbulence in Brazil. ÒIn these difficult days that Brazil is facing, the Olympic flame is a timeless reminder that we all are part of the same humanity,Ó said IOC President Thomas Bach during the Olympic flame lighting ceremony in Ancient Olympia (Greece) on 21 April. ÒThe Olympic Games are a great gift shared by all of humanity. Rio de Janeiro with the support of all Brazilians will provide a spectacular stage to showcase the best of the human spirit.ÓPresident Bach’s confidence in the host city is clear, and Rio 2016 is Left A view of the newly-laid athletics track at Rio Olympic StadiumRight Brazil’s Jo‹o Souza on court at the Olympic Tennis CentreBelow The Olympic Torch Relay has engaged with young people in Brazil‘RIO DE JANEIRO WITH THE SUPPORT OF ALL BRAZILIANS WILL PROVIDE A SPECTACULAR STAGE TO SHOWCASE THE BEST OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT’IOC PRESIDENT THOMAS BACHnow ready to repay the IOC’s faith by delivering a memorable Games. The road to Rio moved a step closer recently with the completion of Barra Olympic Park and the Olympic Village, and fans and athletes will be able to move easily between venues after significant infrastructural improvements. The transport belt formed by three Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) routes and the metro, which will link Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro’s south zone to Barra da Tijuca, are key 32 OLYMPIC REVIEW RIO 2016 PREVIEW