The 2016 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, were held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The opening ceremony took place on August 5, 2016, and the games continued for two weeks, featuring athletes from around the world competing in a wide variety of sports and events. The Rio 2016 Olympics were the first Olympics to be held in South America and showcased Brazil's diverse culture and natural beauty to a global audience.