Rio 2016 chief medical officer João Grangeiro, left, was joined by Americas Medical City executive director Marcus Vinicius dos Santos, centre, and Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman, right, at the unveiling ceremony ©Rio 2016

Rio 2016 has unveiled Americas Medical City complex in Barra da Tijuca as the official athletes’ hospital for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Operating since October of last year, Americas Medical City is the largest medical complex in Rio de Janeiro consisting of two hospitals plus a medical centre with 252 consultation rooms. 

The complex is located close to Barra Olympic Park and the Olympic Village, which during peak time will be home to more than 17,000 athletes and officials.

The Olympic Games are due to open on August 5. 

The agreement between Rio 2016 and Americas Medical City was initially struck in January 2015. 

"It is an honour to be part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Marcus Vinicius dos Santos, executive director of Americas Medical City. 

"We are ready to respond to a great variety of situations, but what we really hope is that nobody will need our assistance."

Olympic mascot Vinicius and Paralympic counterpart Tom handed out official Rio 2016 sticker albums to patients at the Americas Medical City after it was announced it will be the official hospital for the Games ©Rio 2016
Olympic mascot Vinicius and Paralympic counterpart Tom handed out official Rio 2016 sticker albums to patients at the Americas Medical City after it was announced it will be the official hospital for the Games ©Rio 2016

Olympic mascot Vinicius and his Paralympic counterpart Tom were both present at the unveiling ceremony, handing out official Rio 2016 sticker albums to some of the children being treated at the hospital. 

Also at the event were Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman and chief medical officer João Grangeiro. 

Grangeiro has previously stressed the importance of following the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the Zika virus. 

The WHO has declared Zika a global emergency with the virus having been linked with a condition which sees babies born with small heads and underdeveloped brains.

Rio 2016 organisers have attempted to downplay fears in recent months by claiming that the drier and cooler climate in the Brazilian winter reduces the number of mosquitoes, which carry the virus.