On August 5, the Summer Olympic Games will open in Rio de Janeiro. Thought to cost as much as $20 billion to stage, the quadrennial event takes place amid Brazil’s worst recession since the 1930s, the impeachment of Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff, and the threat of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. Test your knowledge of the 2016 Olympics by taking our quiz.
1. Known as “the Miami of Rio,” this neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro is the location of the Olympic Park:
A. Barra da Tijuca
B. Copacabana
C. Maracaña
D. Ipanema
2. The yellow cat-like mascot of the Games is named after a Bossa Nova musician who co-wrote “The Girl from Ipanema.” What is the mascot’s name?
A. Vinicius
B. Astrud
C. Antônio
D. Opie
3. In addition to Rio de Janeiro, five cities will host Olympic soccer games. Which of the cities below will not host soccer?
A. Brasilia
B. Recife
C. São Paulo
D. Belo Horizonte
4. These two sports are returning to the Olympics for the first time since the early 20th century. Name the sports:
A. Golf
B. Ultimate Frisbee
C. Rugby
D. Mall walking
5. To be held from September 7 to September 18, Rio’s Summer Paralympic Games will be the biggest ever. How many athletes are expected to compete?
A. 1,350
B. 2,350
C. 3,350
D. 4,350
6. According to a recent study, the average cost overrun (in real terms) of Olympics held from 1960 to 2012 was:
A.82%
B. 101%
C. 147%
D. 179%
7. How many Olympic Games experienced no cost overruns between 1960 and 2012?
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
Sources: www.rio2016.com; New York Times; Bent Flyvbjerg and Allison Stewart, “Olympic Proportions: Cost and Cost Overrun at the Olympics 1960-2012,” working paper (Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, 2012)
Answers: 1–A; 2–A; 3–B; 4–A, C; 5–D; 6–D; 7–A