Some 250 dancers and musicians – many of them samba fans based in Britain – will be involved, embracing the entire spectrum of Brazilian diversity designed to illustrate "multi-cultural embrace", giving a taste of what to expect in four years' time.

Although not too much was given away at a briefing here, Daniela Thomas (pictured above), one of the art directors of Sunday's performance, said it would "avoid the clichés and show you how sophisticated we mix things".

With a series of British stars scheduled to take part in the Closing Ceremony, there is a danger that Brazil's eight minutes in the spotlight will be overshadowed.

But executive producer Marco Balich insisted this would not happen.

"I think the music of Brazil is a fantastic statement; the handover will be very rooted in our own style and language," he said.

Leo Gryner, chief executive of Rio 2016, said the city had learned many things about how to organise the Olympics but would try to do one thing better than London – avoid the issue of empty seats early on.

"I have to congratulate London for putting on such a successful and well-managed Games and we hope we can achieve the same result," he said.

"For every Organising Committee dealing with empty seats is a challenge.

"We have to find creative ideas to try and overcome this.

"We hope that we will do better than London."

Leo Gryner speaks to the media about plans for the Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics

Gryner said it was highly unlikely that Rio would suffer from the same apparent lack of activity in and around the centre of the city.

During London 2012, despite the infectious atmosphere in the Olympic Park and venues, the streets of the capital have been relatively quiet.

"In Rio we like to party, as you know," said Gryner.

"Whenever we put a show on, we manage to get a huge crowd."

Not for the first time at these Games, Gryner was quizzed by reporters over the controversial decision to keep João Havelange's name on Rio's main Olympic Stadium despite the former FIFA President and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member being tarnished by corruption.

The João Havelange Stadium in Rio de Janeiro

"We are very proud of what Mr Havelange has done to sports worldwide and Brazil in particular," he said.

"He is a great legend in our sports."

Havelange and his former son-in-law, Ricardo Teixeira, were recently found to have received millions of dollars in kickbacks from ISL before FIFA's one-time marketing partner went bust in 2001.

But Gryner said it was not up to Rio 2016 to make political decisions.

"I don't think naming a stadium after João Havelange will damage the Rio Games," he said.

"Besides, the Organising Committee does not name stadiums.

"They are named by owners which in this case is the city.

"Nevertheless that doesn't change my view."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]