By Sean Gregory
On Aug. 5, the greatest athletes in the world will stream into Maracanã Stadium for the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics. Give or take a few samba dancers, the scene in Rio de Janeiro will look much like all the other Olympic pageants before it, save one crucial detail…Read the full story here.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Your Vote Is Safe
- The Best Inventions of 2024
- How the Electoral College Actually Works
- Robert Zemeckis Just Wants to Move You
- Column: Fear and Hoping in Ohio
- How to Break 8 Toxic Communication Habits
- Why Vinegar Is So Good for You
- Meet TIME's Newest Class of Next Generation Leaders
Write to Sean Gregory at sean.gregory@time.com