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A city transformed

Rio before and after Olympic construction

Aerial view of a large, modern sports complex with multiple stadiums, arenas, and facilities. The site is surrounded by water and urban cityscape, with mountains in the background. Roads and pathways connect the various structures.
Aerial view of a large construction site with red soil, near a body of water. In the background, there is a city skyline with numerous buildings and distant mountains under a clear sky.
Photos: Dado Galdieri for Bloomberg News (2014), Wolfgang Rattay for Reuters (2016)

After winning its bid for the 2016 Olympic Games seven years ago, Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro has undergone a construction boom, including new sports venues, subway connections, and more infrastructure. Though stymied in part by political scandal and a suffering economy, Rio largely completed its intended projects. Here are some of the biggest changes.

Line 4 Subway

Aerial view of a cable-stayed bridge spanning a river with lush green mountainous terrain in the background. The bridge supports multiple lanes of traffic, and there are buildings nestled among the landscape. The scene is lit by soft, warm sunlight.
A partially constructed cable-stayed bridge tower with cranes and cables is seen. People stand and walk nearby, and a bus on the road is visible. The area is fenced with graffiti on the barriers, and there are trees and a hill in the background.
Before: Sept. 2015. After: July 4, 2016. Photo: Getty Images

One of the flagship transportation efforts, Rio built a new subway extension linking popular beach areas with the neighborhood where the Olympic Park is located. Though originally intended to open to the public ahead of the Games, repeated delays forced a later completion date than hoped and will only be open to athletes and Olympic spectators.

Favela in Barra da Tijuca

A modern urban street with skyscrapers in the background. People walk on the sidewalk, and overhead utility lines are visible. White residential buildings line the street, and a clear blue sky is above.
A street scene with three men walking past a brick building. The building has barred windows and palm trees nearby. One man is shirtless, and they are carrying bags. Power lines are overhead, and the sky is partly cloudy.
Before: August, 2012. After: Aug. 2, 2016. Photo: European Pressphoto Agency

Once populated by some 550 families, Vila Autódromo became a symbol of the city’s alleged forced relocation of thousands of poor citizens from their homes to make way for the Olympics and 2014 World Cup. The city says Vila Autódromo’s residents benefited by receiving new housing from the government. While some evictions cleared space to build or expand infrastructure, activists and residents say the city’s only purpose in removing Vila Autódromo was to boost land values in the Olympic Park, which will be used for private real-estate development after the Games.

Copacabana Beach

A beachside stadium with a sand-filled arena is set up for a sports event. The empty stands overlook the ocean, with a cityscape and mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
A sunny beach scene with people sunbathing and swimming. The shoreline is lined with tall buildings and mountains in the background. The sky is clear with a few clouds.
Before: March 2013. After: Aug. 1, 2016. Photo: European Pressphoto Agency

One of the most iconic sports in Brazil, beach volleyball, will be played in a stadium built on one of the world’s most iconic beaches, Copacabana.

VLT Light Rail

A modern, white tram travels along a grass-covered track in an urban setting, passing by historic buildings with a mix of architectural styles. The tram features an advertisement and clear glass windows.
A bus with the route number 927 and destination Rodoviária is on an almost empty street lined with old buildings. A traffic cone is placed on the road. The sky is clear and blue.
Before: Dec. 2014. After: June 5, 2016. Photo: Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

Enormous investment has been pumped into transportation infrastructure projects throughout the city, including the VLT (light rail train), in the port district. The rail connects Rio’s domestic airport to a bus terminal and is aimed at revitalizing the area.

Future Arena

Wide-angle view of a large indoor sports arena with green and red seating, yellow railings, and a central court designed for various sports. The ceiling features an intricate metal framework, and digital screens are visible towards the top.
An expansive, empty arena under construction, featuring tiered seating and a large open central space. A person in a hard hat stands in the foreground, observing the progress. The ceiling is equipped with multiple lights and metal beams.
Before: July 2015. After: Aug. 1, 2016. Photo: Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

This temporary facility was built to host the handball matches. After the Games, the materials used will be reassembled into schools, according to officials.

Olympic Golf Course

Aerial view of a sprawling golf course with multiple green fairways and a large water feature. The course is surrounded by urban buildings, mountains, and the ocean in the background under a clear blue sky.
Aerial view of a large area with sparse grass patches, possibly a golf course, surrounded by urban buildings and near a body of water, with misty mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
Before: June 2014. After: Aug. 1, 2016. Photo: Associated Press

The construction of the golf course has stirred controversy. Golf is not widely played in Brazil, and though there is one small public course on the northern outskirts of Rio, Brazilian officials have touted the fact that after the Olympics, the course would become the first professional-quality public course in Brazil. But it was partially built on a protected nature reserve, angering local activists. Organizers argued that enforcement of the area was so bad, turning it into a golf course actually improved the biodiversity of the site.

Olympic Aquatics Center

A large modern building with intricate exterior designs and a translucent facade stands under a clear blue sky. The foreground features a paved area with barriers, a parked car, and a road leading up to the structure.
A large stadium under construction with a visible steel framework and a curved tiled pathway in the foreground. Construction equipment and materials are scattered around, and a clear blue sky serves as the backdrop.
Before: August 2015. After: Aug. 1, 2016. Photo: ZUMA Press

The city built this temporary facility in the Olympic Park to host swimming and water polo competitions.

X-Park at Deodoro Olympic Park

Aerial view of an outdoor sports complex with multiple tracks and seating areas. The facility includes BMX and other cycling tracks, surrounded by lush greenery and adjacent infrastructure buildings. Brightly colored seats are visible in the stands.
Aerial view of a large construction site with red earth, surrounded by green fields and a city in the background. Hills and a cloudy sky are visible in the distance. Construction materials and equipment are scattered around the site.
Before: Jan. 2015. After: July 16, 2016. Photo: ZUMA Press

Built for the Olympics, the BMX Centre and Whitewater Stadium will host the BMX and canoe slalom competitions.

Additional credits

This article was originally produced by the Wall Street Journal Graphics team. I thought the story would be more engaging with the interactive image comparison sliders. Research by Stephanie Aaronson.