A blaze erupted at Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Park just after 04:17 on Wednesday, scorching the velodrome’s roof while leaving the cycling track untouched. About 80 firefighters and 20 fire engines rushed to the scene, battling flames inside and around the structure. Officials confirmed the fire damaged only the roof, sparing the venue’s core facilities. It is the third major fire at the complex.

Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere quickly assessed the damage, saying the velodrome track remained “intact and well‑preserved.” He added that cleaning and maintenance are required before the arena can reopen. Lt Col Fabio Contreiras reported firefighters also protected artefacts in the Olympic Museum, which houses memorabilia from the 2016 Games. The venue suffered two prior roof fires in 2017, both traced to falling sky lanterns.

The velodrome, home to Britain’s six Olympic and eight Paralympic golds in 2016, remains a symbolic landmark for Rio’s sporting legacy. No injuries were recorded and the fire posed no threat to other Olympic Park structures. Restoration crews will now focus on repairing the roof and restoring the museum, ensuring the venue can host future events.