“In the final they confined me to the eighth lane, I wasn't happy, I couldn't control my opponents. Coming out of the corner I was penultimate, Wells possessed was three meters ahead. I think: I won't have other opportunities. Twelve years of work and pain for nothing. So I set off again, I hear everything again, I get back into the race, I recover, I win, I raise my arms and my little finger”. These are the words with which Pietro Mennea summed up his victory in the 200 meters at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. 26 years later, everything is ready again.
The countdown is over. Today, 5 August 2016, the 31st edition of the Olympic Games begins with the opening ceremony scheduled for 23.00 pm.
The venue chosen to host the most important sporting event in the world is Rio De Janeiro, which for the occasion has been divided into four different zones based on the sporting disciplines: Barra, Deodoro, Maracanà and Copacabana.
In the shadow of Christ the Redeemer, thousands of athletes from 204 countries around the world will compete to win that medal which for all of them represents the dream of a lifetime.
OLYMPICS 2016: ITALY
Italy could not miss the appointment. Yesterday morning (August 4) Casa Italia was officially opened, a structure located in the Costa Brava Club which will host the 297 Azzurri athletes involved in the competitions. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi was also present at the ceremony, accompanied by his wife Agnese and one of his three children.
The Premier did not hesitate to underline the symbolic importance of the event: “A special night – said the head of government – because we can share the values of the Games of peace and respect. When we were studying they told us that during the Games the wars stopped. Now that's not the case anymore, we need a moment of brotherhood". Then an appeal to the Italians: “We must work together in order not to lose our identity and maintain our values. Sport is one of the main ones. Today more than ever I felt the pride and passion of being Italian”.
So everything is ready for the appeal to the 200th Olympic gold medal. It could be conquered by one of the almost 300 athletes who make up the blue expedition. 155 men and 142 women engaged in different disciplines, the "oldest", Giovanni Pellielo is 46 years old (volley shooting), the youngest is one of the great hopes of blue swimming, Sara De Francheschini (17 years old).
2016 OLYMPICS: MEDALS AND COMPETITION DISCIPLINES
There are 306 medals up for grabs for 28 sports, including new entries Rugby and Golf, and 42 competing disciplines. The announced goal for Azzurri sportsmen is to equal the number of medals (28) won at the London 2012 Olympics.
It should be emphasized that, with the exception of football (the matches of the women's teams began on 3 August) all the other competitions will be held from 7 to 21 August.
THE OLYMPICS ON TV
The Rio 2016 races will be broadcast on TV by both Sky and Raisport. Subscribers to satellite TV will be able to follow the Games, in an abridged version, on the thematic channel dedicated to them. State television, on the other hand, will dedicate three channels to the 2016 Olympics. Athletics, gymnastics, swimming, boxing, fencing and diving will be visible on RaiSport 1. RaiSport 2 will broadcast: basketball, beach volleyball, soccer, volleyball, beach volleyball, water polo and rugby. All the other sports will be visible, in rotation, on the other channels. Rai will also make its website available, raisport.rai.it, to watch all the races in streaming.
OLYMPICS 2016: THE CALENDAR
The following the complete program of the Rio De Janerio 2016 Olympics.
TUESDAY 3 AUGUST:
18.00 FOOTBALL – Sweden vs South Africa (Group E, women)
20.00 FOOTBALL – Canada vs Australia (Group F, women)
21.00 FOOTBALL – Brazil vs China (Group E, women)
23.00 FOOTBALL – Zimbabwe vs Germany (Group F, women)
THURSDAY 4 AUGUST:
00.00 FOOTBALL – USA vs New Zealand (Group G, women)
03.00 FOOTBALL – France vs Colombia (Group G, women)
18.00 FOOTBALL – Iran vs Denmark (Group A, men)
20.00 FOOTBALL – Honduras vs Algeria (Group D, men)
21.00 FOOTBALL – Brazil vs South Africa (Group A, men)
22.00 FOOTBALL – Mexico vs Germany (Group C, men)
23.00 FOOTBALL – Portugal vs Argentina (Group D, men)
FRIDAY 5 AUGUST:
01.00 FOOTBALL – Fiji vs South Korea (Group C, men)
03.00 FOOTBALL – Nigeria vs Japan (Group B, men)
23.00 pm OPENING CEREMONY
Saturday August 6
14.30 ROAD CYCLING – Road race (men)
15.30 SHOOTING – 10m air rifle, final (women)
20.30 SHOOTING – 10m compressed air pistol, final (men)
21.39 ARCHERY – Team competition, finals (men)
21.40 JUDO – 48kg (female): finals
21.40 JUDO – 60kg (male): finals
22.15 FENCING – Epee, individual test (female): finals
00.00 WEIGHT LIFTING – 48kg (female)
03.03 SWIMMING – 400m medley, final (men)
03.30 SWIMMING – 400m freestyle, final (men)
03.49 SWIMMING – 400m medley, final (women)
04.24 SWIMMING – 4x100m freestyle, final (women)
Sunday August 7
16.00 SHOOTING – 10m air pistol, final (women)
17.15 ROAD CYCLING – Road race (women)
20.00 SHOOTING – Trap, final (female)
20.30 WEIGHT LIFTING – 53kg (female)
21.00 DIVING – Synchro 3m, final (women)
21.39 ARCHERY – Team event: finals (women)
21.40 JUDO – 52kg (female): finals
21.40 JUDO – 66kg (male): finals
22.15 FENCING – Foil, individual test (men): finals
00.00 WEIGHT LIFTING – 56kg (male)
03.03 SWIMMING – 100m butterfly, final (women)
03.53 SWIMMING – 100m breaststroke, final (men)
04.01 SWIMMING – 400m freestyle, final (women)
04.54 SWIMMING – 4x100m freestyle, final (men)
MONDAY 8 AUGUST
17.00 SHOOTING – 10m air rifle, final (men)
20.00 Skeet Shooting – Trap, final (men)
20.30 WEIGHT LIFTING – 58kg (female)
21.00 DIVING – Synchro 10m, final (men)
21.00 ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS – Team round, final (men)
21.40 – JUDO – 57kg (female): finals
21.40 JUDO – 73kg (male): finals
22.15 FENCING – Saber, individual test (female): finals
23.30 RUGBY A 7 – Final for bronze (women)
00.00 RUGBY A 7 – Final for gold (women)
00.00 WEIGHT LIFTING – 62kg (male)
03.21 SWIMMING – 200m freestyle, final (men)
03.30 SWIMMING – 100m backstroke, final (women)
03.38 SWIMMING – 100m backstroke, final (men)
03.54 SWIMMING – 100m breaststroke, final (women)
TUESDAY 9 AUGUST
15.00 EQUESTRIAN SPORTS – Full competition, show jumping (team)
19.00 EQUESTRIAN SPORTS – Full competition, show jumping (individual)
20.10 CANOE SLALOM – C1, final (men)
20.30 SHOOTING – 25m pistol, final (women)
20.30 WEIGHT LIFTING – 63kg (female)
21.00 DIVING – Synchro 10m, final (women)
21.00 ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS – Team round, final (female)
21.30 RUGBY A 7 – South Africa vs France (men)
21.40 JUDO – 63kg (female): finals
21.40 JUDO – 81kg (male): finals
22.15 FENCING – Epee, individual test (men): finals
00.00 WEIGHT LIFTING – 69kg (male)
03.19 SWIMMING – 200m freestyle, final (women)
03.28 SWIMMING – 200m butterfly, final (men)
04.29 SWIMMING – 200m medley, final (women)
04.38 SWIMMING – 4x200m freestyle, final (men)
WEDNESDAY 10 AUGUST
13.30 CYCLING – Time Trial (women)
15.22 ROWING – 4 sculls, final (men)
15.34 ROWING – 4 sculls, final (female)
17.00 SHOOTING – 50m pistol, final (men)
20.00 Skeet Shooting – Double trap, final (men)
20.00 ARCHERY – Individual round, first round and 16th finals (men)
20.15 CANOE SLALOM – K1, final (men)
20.30 WEIGHT LIFTING – 69kg (female)
21.00 DIVING – Synchro 3m, final (men)
21.00 ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS – Individual General Competition, final (male)
21.40 JUDO – 70kg (female): finals
21.40 JUDO – 90kg (male): finals
00.00 WEIGHT LIFTING – 77kg (male)
00.20 FENCING – Foil, individual test (female): finals
00.50 FENCING – Saber, individual test (men): finals
01.30 TABLE TENNIS – Singles tournament, final for bronze and final for gold (women)
03.03 SWIMMING – 200m breaststroke, final (men)
03.54 SWIMMING – 200m butterfly, final (women)
04.03 SWIMMING – 100m freestyle, final (men)
04.55 SWIMMING – 4x200m freestyle, final (women)
Thursday August 11
14.52 ROWING – 2 without, final (men)
15.04 ROWING – 2 sculls, final (female
15.24 ROWING – 2 sculls, final (men)
15.44 ROWING – 4 w/o lightweights, final (men)
17.00 SHOOTING – Rifle 50 meters 3 positions, final (women)
19.15 CANOE SLALOM – C2, final (men)
20.00 CANOE SLALOM – K1, final (female
21.00 ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS – Individual General Competition, final (female)
21.27 ARCHERY – Individual round: finals (female)
21.40 JUDO – 78kg (female): finals
21.40 JUDO – 100kg (male): finals
22.00 FENCING – Epee, team event (female): finals
23.21 TRACK CYCLING – Team Sprint, finals (men)
23.30 RUGBY A 7 – Final for bronze (men)
00.00 RUGBY A 7 – Final for gold (men)
01.30 TABLE TENNIS – Singles tournament, final for bronze and final for gold (men)
03.17 SWIMMING – 200m breaststroke, final (women)
03.26 SWIMMING – 200m backstroke, final (men)
04.01 SWIMMING – 200m medley, final (men)
04.18 SWIMMING – 100m freestyle, final (women)
FRIDAY 12 AUGUST
14.52 ROWING – 2 lightweight sculls, final (female)
15.00 EQUESTRIAN SPORTS – Dressage, team trial (final grand prix and awarding of medals)
15.04 ROWING – 2 lightweight sculls, final (men)
15.24 ROWING – 2 without, final (women)
15.44 ROWING – 4 without, final (men)
16.00 SHOOTING – Rifle 50 meters prone, final (men)
16.10 ATHLETICS – 10000 metres, final (women)
17.00 TENNIS – Doubles tournament, final for bronze (men)
17.00 TENNIS – Doubles tournament, final for gold (men)
19.00 ELASTIC TRAMPOLINE – Individual (female), qualifying round and final
19.30 ATHLETICS – 20km walk, final (men)
20.00 Skeet Shooting – Skeet, final (female)
20.30 WEIGHT LIFTING – 75kg (female)
21.27 ARCHERY – Individual round: finals (men)
21.40 JUDO – +78kg (female), finals
21.40 JUDO – +100kg (male), finals
22.00 FENCING – Foil, team trial (men): finals
23.00 TRACK CYCLING – Team Sprint, Finals (women)
23.20 TRACK CYCLING – Team Pursuit, Finals (men)
00.00 WEIGHT LIFTING – 85kg (male)
03.00 ATHLETICS – Shot put, final (women)
03.03 SWIMMING – 200m backstroke, final (women)
03.12 SWIMMING – 100m butterfly, final (men)
03.20 SWIMMING – 800m freestyle, final (women)
03.44 SWIMMING – 50m freestyle, final (men)
Saturday August 13
15.32 ROWING – Single, final (men)
15.44 ROWING – Single, final (women)
15.50 ATHLETICS – Discus throw, final (men)
16.04 ROWING – Eight, final (men)
16.24 ROWING – Eight, final (women)
17.00 TENNIS – Doubles tournament, final for bronze (women)
17.00 TENNIS – Doubles tournament, final for bronze (mixed)
17.00 TENNIS – Singles Tournament, final for bronze (men)
17.00 TENNIS – Singles Tournament, final for the gold (women)
17.30 pm SHOOTING – 25m automatic pistol, final (men)
19.00 ELASTIC TRAMPOLINE – Individual (men), qualifying round and final
20.00 Skeet Shooting – Skeet, final (men)
20.00 Skeet Shooting – Skeet, final (men)
20.00 Skeet Shooting – Skeet, final (men)
22.33 TRACK CYCLING – Keirin, final for the medals (women)
00.00 WEIGHT LIFTING – 94kg (male)
01.50 ATHLETICS – Long jump, final (men)
02.55 ATHLETICS – 10000 metres, final (men)
03.03 SWIMMING – 50m freestyle, final (women)
03.11 SWIMMING – 1500m freestyle, final (men)
03.34 SWIMMING – 4x100m medley, final (women)
03.35 ATHLETICS – 100 metres, final (women)
03.53 ATHLETICS – Heptathlon, 800 meters 04.00
04.04 SWIMMING – 4x100m medley, final (men)
Sunday August 14
12.00 GOLF – Fourth and last round (men)
14.30 ATHLETICS – Marathon (women)
17.00 TENNIS – Singles tournament, final for gold (men)
17.00 TENNIS – Doubles tournament, final for gold (women)
17.00 TENNIS – Doubles tournament, final for gold (mixed)
18.00 SHOOTING – Rifle 50 meters 3 positions, final (men)
18.05 SAILING – RS:X (male), medal race and awarding of medals
19.00 ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS – Finals of Specialty, floor exercise (male)
19.05 SAILING – RS:X (female), medal race and awarding of medals
19.15 BOXING – 49kg, final for gold (men)
19.45 ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS – Finals of Specialty, vaulting (female)
20.30 ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS – Specialty Finals, pommel horse (male)
21.00 DIVING – 3m springboard, final (women)
21.00 FIGHT – Grecoromana 59kg, repechage and finals for the medals
21.00 FIGHT – Grecoromana 75kg, repechage and finals for the medals
21.15 ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS – Specialty Finals, uneven bars (female)
22.00 FENCING – Epee, team event (men): finals
22.04 TRACK CYCLING – Sprint, Finals (men)
00.00 WEIGHT LIFTING – +75kg (female)
01.55 ATHLETICS – Triple jump, final (women)
03.00 ATHLETICS – 400 metres, final (men)
03.25 ATHLETICS – 100 metres, final (men)
MONDAY 15 AUGUST
14.00 SWIMMING – 10km (women)
15.00 EQUESTRIAN SPORTS – Dressage, individual trial
15.40 ATHLETICS – Hammer throw, final (women)
16.00 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING – Duo, technical routine
16.15 ATHLETICS – 3000m steeplechase, final (women)
18.05 SAILING - Laser radial (female), medal race and awarding of medals
19.00 ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS – Specialty finals, rings (male)
19.05 SAILING – Laser (men), medal race and awarding of medals
19.45 ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS – Specialty Finals, beam (female
20.30 ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS – Finals of Specialty, vaulting (male)
21.00 FIGHT – Grecoromana 59kg, repechage and finals for the medals
21.00 FIGHT – Grecoromana 75kg, repechage and finals for the medals
22.23 TRACK CYCLING – Omnium, sixth round (men)
00.00 WEIGHT LIFTING – 105kg (male)
00.15 BOXING – 91kg, final for gold (men
01.35 ATHLETICS – Pole vault, final (men)
03.25 ATHLETICS – 800m, final (men)
TUESDAY 16 AUGUST
14.00 SWIMMING – 10km (men)
14.08 CANOE SPRINT – C1 1000m, final (men)
14.23 CANOE SPRINT – K2 500m, final (women)
14.47 CANOE SPRINT – K1 200m, final (women)
14.50 ATHLETICS – Triple jump, final (men)
15.12 CANOE SPRINT – K1 1000m, final (men)
16.00 TABLE TENNIS – Team Tournament, final for bronze (women)
16.20 ATHLETICS – Discus throw, final (women
18.05 SAILING – Finn (male), medal race and awarding of medals
19.00 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING – Duo, free routine final and awarding of medals
19.00 ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS – Specialty Finals, equal parallels (male)
19.05 SAILING - Nacra 17 (mixed), medal race and awarding of medals
19.45 ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS – Finals of Specialty, floor exercise (female)
20.30 ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS – Specialty Finals, barre (male)
21.00 FIGHT – Grecoromana 66kg, repechage and finals
21.00 FIGHT – Grecoromana 98kg, repechage and finals
22.05 TRACK CYCLING – Omnium, sixth round (female)
22.30 BADMINTON – Doubles tournament, match for bronze (mixed)
22.44 TRACK CYCLING – Sprint, Finals (women)
23.00 DIVING – 3m springboard, final (men)
23.20 TRACK CYCLING – Keirin, final for the medals (men)
00.00 WEIGHT LIFTING – +105kg (male)
00.15 BOXING – 60kg, final for gold (men)
00.30 TABLE TENNIS – Team tournament, final for gold (women)
01.30 ATHLETICS – High jump, final (men)
03.30 ATHLETICS – 1500 metres, final (women)
03.45 ATHLETICS – 110 meters hurdles, final (men)
WEDNESDAY 17 AUGUST
13.30 BADMINTON – Doubles tournament, match for gold (mixed)
15.00 EQUESTRIAN SPORTS – Show jumping, team trial (final)
16.00 TABLE TENNIS – Team Tournament, final for bronze (men)
16.50 ATHLETICS – 3000m steeplechase, final (men)
18.05 SAILING - 470 (men), medal race and awarding of medals
19.05 SAILING - 470 (female), medal race and awarding of medals
21.00 FIGHT – Free 48kg (women), repechage and finals for the medals
21.00 FIGHT – Free 58kg (women), repechage and finals for the medals
21.00 FIGHT – Free 69kg (women), repechage and finals for the medals
21.30 BOXING – 69kg, final for gold (men)
00.30 TABLE TENNIS – Team tournament, final for gold (men)
01.00 TAEKWONDO – 49kg (female), repechage and finals
01.00 TAEKWONDO – 58kg (men), repechage and finals
02.15 ATHLETICS – Long jump, final (women)
03.00 BEACH VOLLEYBALL – Final for the bronze medal (women)
03.30 ATHLETICS – 200 metres, final (women)
03.55 ATHLETICS – 100 meters hurdles, final
04.30 BEACH VOLLEYBALL – Final for gold (women)
Thursday August 18
13.30 BADMINTON – Doubles tournament, match for bronze (women)
13.30 BADMINTON – Doubles tournament, match for bronze (men)
13.30 BADMINTON – Doubles tournament, match for gold (women)
14.00 CANOE SPRINT – K2 1000m, final (men)
14.15 CANOE SPRINT – C1 200m, final (men)
14.39 CANOE SPRINT – K2 200m, final (men)
15.03 CANOE SPRINT – K1 500m, final (women)
16.00 TRIATHLON – Men's trial
17.00 PRATO HOCKEY – Final for the bronze (men)
17.00 ATHLETICS – 400m hurdles, final (men)
19.05 SAILING – 49er FX (female), medal race and awarding of medals
20.30 BOXING – 81kg, final for gold (men)
21.00 FIGHT – Free 53kg (women), repechage and finals for the medals
21.00 FIGHT – Free 63kg (women), repechage and finals for the medals
21.00 FIGHT – Free 75kg (women), repechage and finals for the medals
21.00 DIVING – 10m platform, final (women)
22.00 PRATO HOCKEY – Final for the gold (men)
01.00 TAEKWONDO – 57kg (female), repechage and finals
01.00 TAEKWONDO – 68kg (men), repechage and finals
01.30 ATHLETICS – Shot put, final (men)
02.10 ATHLETICS – Javelin throw, final (women
02.45 ATHLETICS – Decathlon, 1500 metres
03.00 BEACH VOLLEYBALL – Final for the bronze (men
03.15 ATHLETICS – 400m hurdles, final (women)
03.30 ATHLETICS – 200m, final (men)
04.00 BEACH VOLLEYBALL – Final for the gold (men
FRIDAY 19 AUGUST
13.00 ATHLETICS – 50km walk
13.30 BADMINTON – Individual tournament, match for bronze (women)
13.30 BADMINTON – Individual tournament, match for gold (women)
13.30 BADMINTON – Doubles tournament, match for gold (men
15.00 EQUESTRIAN SPORTS – Show jumping, individual trial (final)
16.30 WATER POLO – Final for bronze (women)
17.00 PENTATHLON – Individual test (female)
17.00 SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING – Team, free routine and awarding of medals
17.00 PRATO HOCKEY – Final for the bronze (female)
18.00 FOOTBALL – Final for the bronze medal (women)
19.30 ATHLETICS – 20km walk (women)
20.00 BMX CYCLING – Road race, semi-finals (men)
20.10 BMX CYCLING – Road race, semi-finals (women)
20.30 WATER POLO – Final for gold (women)
21.00 BOXING – 60kg, final (women)
22.00 PRATO HOCKEY – Final for the gold (female)
22.30 FOOTBALL – Final for the gold (women)
01.00 TAEKWONDO – 67kg (female), repechage and finals
01.00 TAEKWONDO – 80kg (men), repechage and finals
01.30 ATHLETICS – Pole vault, final (women)
02.05 ATHLETICS – Hammer throw, final (men)
02.40 ATHLETICS – 5000m, final (women)
03.15 ATHLETICS – 4x100m, final (women)
03.35 ATHLETICS – 4x100m, final (men)
Saturday August 20
12.00 GOLF – Fourth and last round (female)
13.30 BADMINTON – Individual tournament, match for bronze (men)
13.30 BADMINTON – Individual tournament, match for gold (men)
14.07 CANOE SPRINT – C2 1000m, final (men)
14.14 CANOA SPRINT- K1 200m, final (men)
14.32 CANOE SPRINT – K4 500m, final (women)
14.49 CANOE SPRINT – K4 1000m, final (men)
16.00 TRIATHLON – Female test
16.30 HANDBALL – Final for bronze (women)
16.30 BASKETBALL – Final for the bronze (women)
17.00 PENTATHLON – Individual test (men)
17.30 MOUNTAIN BIKE – Road test (female)
18.00 WATER POLO – Final for bronze (men)
18.00 FOOTBALL – Final for the bronze medal (men)
18.00 VOLLEYBALL – Final for the bronze medal (women)
19.00 BOXING – 51kg, final for gold (women)
19.15 BOXING – 56kg, final for gold (men)
20.00 BOXING – 75kg, final for gold (men)
20.20 RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS – Individual General Competition, final
20.30 BASKETBALL – Final for the gold (women)
20.30 HANDBALL – Final for gold (women)
21.00 FIGHT – Free 86kg (men), repechage and finals for the medals
21.00 FIGHT – Free 125kg (men), repechage and finals for the medals
21.30 DIVING – 10m platform, final (men)
22.30 FOOTBALL – Final for the gold medal (men)
22.50 WATER POLO – Final for gold (men)
00.00 TAEKWONDO – +67kg (female), repechage and finals
01.00 TAEKWONDO – +80kg (male), repechage and finals
01.30 ATHLETICS – High jump, final (women)
01.55 ATHLETICS – Javelin throw, final (men)
02.00 ATHLETICS – 1500m, final (men)
02.15 ATHLETICS – 800m, final (women)
02.30 ATHLETICS – 5000m, final (men)
03.00 ATHLETICS – 4x400m, final (women)
03.15 VOLLEYBALL – Final for gold (women)
03.35 ATHLETICS – 4x400m, final (men)
Sunday August 21
4.30 ATHLETICS – Marathon (men)
14.30 VOLLEYBALL – Final for bronze (men)
15.30 HANDBALL – Final for the bronze (men)
16.00 RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS – Team competition, final
16.30 BASKETBALL – Final for the bronze (men)
17.30 MOUNTAIN BIKE – Road race (men)
17.45 FIGHT – Free 65kg (men), repechage and finals for the medals
17.45 FIGHT – Free 97kg (men), repechage and finals for the medals
18.15 VOLLEYBALL – Final for gold (men)
19.00 HANDBALL – Final for gold (men)
19.00 BOXING – 75kg, final for gold (women)
19.15 BOXING – 52kg, final for gold (men)
20.00 BOXING – 64kg, final for gold (men)
20.15 BOXING – +91kg, final for gold (men)
20.45 BASKETBALL – Final for gold (men)
23.00 pm CLOSING CEREMONY
