The 2016 Rio Olympics are almost finished but a lot has gone on in recent weeks. This year, the games have taken place in Rio De Janiero, Brazil, where, before the opening ceremonies, questions arose on the venue. For instance, Brazil is prone to a severe virus called the Zika virus. Many U.S. athletes withdrew from the Olympics due to concerns of potentially catching the virus. Yet, in spite of the issues Brazil faced and continues to face, the Olympics are still being viewed on television and enjoyed by millions of people. Here are two reasons why people should watch the 2016 Rio Olympics:

The Presence of Big-Name Athletes

There were a great number of familiar faces at this year’s Summer Olympics. USA swimmers Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky dominated their swimming competitions to once again capture gold medals for their country. Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt showed the world why he won gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics by speeding past his rivals to win his nineth gold medal. And in gymnastics, Simone Biles and her USA teammates excelled at their events, claiming gold, silver and bronze medals. These names should continue to draw attention and excitement for years to come.

The Variety of Sports Being Played

During the fall, spring and summer seasons, sports fans in America and in Europe start discussing popular sports such as football, baseball, basketball and hockey. These fans would know a significant amount of information regarding these sports than the ones being played at the Olympics. For example, it is not that often that people get to watch athletes from around the world participate in sports such as water polo, beach volleyball, table tennis, etc. These are not new games run during the Olympics, but they do not gain the popularity and publicity that football, basketball, baseball and hockey generates. Nevertheless, these types of sports are intriguing to watch, and fans of the Olympics should take more interest in them.

Therefore, while the Olympics only come every four years, people love it for these reasons, as well as the pageantry, tradition and sportsmanship that follows. In spite of the fact that Rio De Janeiro, Brazil has its many questions and problems, it still is a great place (because of the beaches and nice weather) to host an Olympics. The countries represented take a break from their political, economic and social issues to unite, and the athletes representing these countries enjoy themselves in the process. So for those who are looking for entertainment and excitement on television, the Olympics are just the thing for you!