The 2016 Rio Olympics start next week Friday, August 5 and will run through until August 21. Thousands of athletes will compete in swimming, athletics, weightlifting, boxing, basketball and more, from over 200 nations.

If you do not want to miss out on any of the Olympic news, results and coverage, we have rounded up the best apps on iOS and Android whether you are watching at home or are lucky enough to be at the Olympic stadium.

Keep up-to-date on all the 2016 Olympic coverage

Rio 2016

In the lead up to the 2016 Rio Olympics, the official Rio 2016 app is a great option. The main focus of the app currently is the Olympic Torch Relay as it makes its way around Brazil with real-time photos and videos of the celebrations. When the Olympic Games start on August 5, there will be details about the venues and event schedule.

Available free on iOS and Android.

ESPN

Another option to keep up-to-date on 2016 Olympic coverage is the ESPN app. During the Games you will be able to get breaking news coverage, live video and audio streaming through the app’s podcast-listening mode.

Available free on iOS and Android.

NBC Olympics

The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) has the rights to the 2016 Olympics in the U.S. and its app offers highlights from previous Games, high-quality videos, athlete profiles, and more. You can also see trending articles and have the ability to sort articles and videos by sport.

Available free on iOS and Android.

BBC Sport

While the NBC and ESPN apps will have a lot of focus on the U.S., the BBC Sport app will provide you with a different perspective of the 2016 Olympic coverage. While a lot of coverage will obviously focus on the British team, the app allows you to set up a ‘My Sport’ page allowing you to focus on the Olympic coverage that interests you.

Available free on iOS and Android.

theScore

An update this week for theScore app will offer Olympic Game enthusiasts comprehensive information about the Rio Olympics. On the dedicated team pages, users will be able to see medal counts, relevant news and latest scores for each of the over 200 competing nations. You can also set up alerts about your favorite countries and get notified when someone wins a medal.

theScore will also offer breaking news from the 2016 Olympics, or you can receive alerts for news stories specific to your favorite teams. Results from all the events will be provided, as well as live scores, news etc. for men’s and women’s basketball and soccer.

Available free on iOS and Android.

Heading off to the Rio Olympics?

If you are lucky enough to be heading off to the Rio Olympics next week, then make sure you download these apps.

Brazil Travel Guide

The Brazil Travel Guide app will allow you to get to know different areas better, by providing you with information about the best bars, restaurants, discos and more. In addition, you can book hotels, see a weather forecast, and current events in the area. You can also use the built-in currency converter and phrasebook to make your stay in Brazil easier.

Available free on iOS and Android.

Translation app

If you haven’t been practicing your Portuguese in the lead up to the 2016 Olympic Games then it would be advisable that you download one of the many translation apps that are available. English is not widely spoken in Brazil and only a small percentage of the population has a basic proficiency. To make your trip easier, make sure you download a translation app onto your iPhone or Android device.

How to live stream the 2016 Olympics with or without cable

With cable

If you have a cable subscription in the U.S. and want to watch the 2016 Olympics on the go then you can download the free NBC Sports app. When the Games start, you will be able to watch events in real-time and get access to news and past events.

Available free on iOS and Android.

Without cable

If you do not have a cable subscription then all is not lost as it is possible to watch the 2016 Olympics legally at a low cost. Two streaming service options that will allow you to watch the majority of the 2016 Olympic coverage are Sling TV and PlayStation Vue. Read our article to see how you can live stream all your favorite 2016 Olympic events for $30 per month. Both options also offer a 7-day free trial, allowing you to enjoy the first week of Olympic coverage at no cost.   

Sources: Paste; Boston Globe

Image credit: Gellinger; Pixabay