The 800 metres squared facility is the Control and Command Centre for technology that supervises all 144 Olympic competition and non-competition venues.

This includes the monitoring and controlling of IT systems delivering results to the media in real time during the Games.

It is considered crucial to the success of the Olympics and Paralympics, with its opening hailed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as an "important milestone" with barely eight months to go until the Opening Ceremony. 

“We have been impressed with the Organising Committee’s information technology preparations," Jean-Benoît Gauthier, the IOC's information and technology director, said.

"These Games will represent significant progress in the IT systems used at the Games, and we are working together with our Worldwide Partner, Atos, to improve the experience of the athletes, media and spectators.

"Not only in Rio de Janeiro but also at future Olympic Games too.”

Like at London 2012, Atos, a member of the IOC's flagship TOP (The Olympic Programme) sponsorship scheme, are responsible for organising the centre.

“Rio 2016 is a breakthrough moment in how we deliver IT for the Olympic Games," said Atos' chief executive of major events and chief commercial officer Patrick Adiba.

"It provides a compelling example of how organisations that embrace full digital models can realise tangible benefits in terms of customer experience, business transformation, operational excellence and security.”

Other Olympic partners will also play a major role at the facility, including Omega, who will be responsible of timepieces, timing, scoring, and on-venue results, and Panasonic, responsible for audio-visual equipment.

Samsung will be responsible for wireless communications, while various other local partners will also be involved. 

“The TOC is crucial to the running of the Games, and we are delighted with how it has already supported us during the test events," added Rio 2016 technology director Elly Resende.

"It is the IT equivalent to the main stadium, from where the IT team will have the best seats to watch all the IT action during the Games to ensure the results are delivered accurately, securely and in real time to the world.”

Related stories
July 2012: Atos gears up to deliver ground breaking technology at London 2012
October 2011: Technology Operations Centre for London 2012 to be officially unveiled
August 2008: David Owen is given an exclusive tour of the technology centre that is vital to the Olympics