Rio de Janeiro's Sambodromo in Brazil has become the first 2016 venue to open, following the completion of an extensive BRL35m (US$20.4m, EUR15.4m, £12.9m) facelift.

The venue is the home of the Rio de Janeiro Carnival's samba school parades and will host archery events and the start and finish of the Olympic marathons during the 2016 Games.

Renovation work at the Sambodromo, which was designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer, has included the construction of four new stands to increase capacity from 60,000 to 72,500.

"The choice of this venue for the archery and the marathon events offers Rio de Janeiro a renovated, enlarged stage for one of the city's largest popular celebrations," said Rio 2016 president Carlos Arthur Nuzman.

Details: www.rio2016.org

Image: Rio 2016/Fernando Maia-Riotur