The Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic organising committee is set to launch its Games volunteer programme in August. More than 70,000 places will be made available for the programme, Xinhua reported, citing officials, on Thursday.

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Other developments planned for 2014 are the naming of the Olympic and Paralympic mascots, expected to occur in the second half of the year. Organisers will also announce the Games' ticketing schedule and visual theme in the coming months.

The first test event - a sailing regatta - will be held in August at the Marina da Gloria.

The Rio Games, to be held from August 5 to 21, 2016, will be the first time the Olympics have been staged in South America.