Rio 2016 Olympics: Complete Schedule of Summer Games' Medal Events

Every four years, one part of the greatest sporting event on the planet takes place as elite athletes battle for the gold medals in their chosen disciplines at the Summer Games. 

Rio de Janeiro is hosting the 2016 edition of the Olympics, as events as diverse as synchronised swimming and fencing marry up with mainstream sports such as football, golf and tennis.

Whatever their favourite event, sports fans will get a chance to watch all of the festivities occur throughout August.

The Olympics kick off on Friday, as the opening ceremony takes place at the revamped Maracana Stadium.

Here is the full schedule for every medal event on show in Rio:

Event	Dates
Opening Ceremony	August 5
Archery	August 5-12
Artistic Gymnastics	August 6-16
Athletics	August 12-21
Badminton	August 11-20
Basketball	August 6-21
Beach Volleyball	August 6- 18
Boxing	August 6-21
Canoe Slalom	August 7-11
Canoe Sprint	August 15-20
Cycling BMX	August 17-19
Cycling Mountain Bike	August 20-21
Cycling Road	August 6-10
Cycling Track	August 11-16
Diving	August 7-20
Equestrian	August 6-19
Fencing	August 6-14
Football	August 3-20
Golf	August 11-20
Handball	August 6-21
Field Hockey	August 6-19
Judo	August 6-12
Marathon Swimming	August 15-16
Modern Pentathlon	August 18-20
Rhythmic Gymnastics	August 19-21
Rowing	August 6-13
Rugby Sevens	August 6-11
Sailing	August 8-18
Shooting	August 6-14
Swimming	August 6-13
Synchronised Swimming	August 14-19
Table Tennis	August 6-17
Taekwondo	August 17-20
Tennis	August 6-14
Trampoline Gymnastics	August 12-13
Triathlon	August 18-20
Volleyball	August 6-21
Water Polo	August 6-20
Weightlifting	August 6-16
Wrestling	August 14-21

Superstars Ready for August Festival

Felipe Dana/Associated Press

As the most iconic sporting landmark in Brazil, the Maracana represents the history of the country's greatest and worst sporting moments over the years.

Now, the renovated venue plays host to the Olympic Games as the country attempts to rediscover the feelgood factor after the disappointments of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Football is a religion in Rio and across South America, but the Olympics are a chance to showcase the greatest talents from many sports under one banner.

Team USA shared the official song of the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, sung by Katy Perry:

Global stars such as Wimbledon tennis champions Andy Murray and Serena Williams are due to attend in their bids for gold, as well as NBA superstar Kevin Durant, featuring for the United States basketball team.

Iconic cyclists Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome will also be present as they represent Team GB, and 19-year-old American swimming prodigy Katie Ledecky will be attempting to make a name for herself in Brazil.

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

One of the shocks of the Games could come from Dutch sprinter Dafne Schippers.

She has single-handedly broken the monopoly of American-Caribbean athletes in women's sprinting in recent times and will be hoping to write her name in the history books in Rio.

Schippers excelled at junior level and now specialises in the 100 and 200 metres for the Netherlands, and she provides European women with their best chance on the track.

The Games promise to be an event that makes and breaks careers, and the amount of quality young talent on show will guarantee new national heroes will be born in Brazil.