I have prepared the city for your arrival! The people are super friendly, the city is a mix of mountain and metropolis and beach, and the food is good. It's everything you could ever want. While I'm sure the games won't be as good as if they were in Melbourne,* I do think they'll be great. To make better use of your busy time here, I have broken down the tourist hits. I realize you can't win all the gold medals AND see all the sights. Feel free to pick and chose as your needs require!
Must Do:
1. Copacabana Beach
It's a beautiful, clean beach with big Atlantic Ocean waves and activities to please everyone. You can sit, you can walk, you can eat, you can shop. The entire city has black and white mosaic sidewalks but the boardwalk at Copacabana is an alternating wave pattern that runs the entire length of the beach.
On Sundays they close the road for better walking. On every day, but especially Saturday, you can admire the incredible athletic prowess of the Brazilian people. The beach is packed with people playing volleyball, soccer, soccer volleyball,** and there appears to be a super intense doubles beach tennis intramural league.
If you can catch a local band jamming on some Samba, it's even better. 
2. Christ the Redeemer at Corcovado
You came all this way to Rio for one thing:*** a picture with the big Jesus. I took the tram ride to the top which was enjoyable enough by itself. At the top you get an up close and personal view with the statue you've been watching watch you from all over the city. 
It's a mob scene up there**** so don't be in a rush to get your panoramas and your obligatory "pose like Jesus" picture.
3. Sugarloaf Mountain
Sugarloaf Mountain is one of the mountains you see impractically popping up from the ocean and gives Rio it's unique beachfront view. You can take a cablecar to the top of two different mountain peaks for great views of the city. Although the view is not as expansive as Corcovado, I enjoyed the atmosphere of this one more. There are more places to walk around at the top and simply enjoy the view. I was there in the early afternoon but you could definitely go up later to see the view and enjoy sunset.
Can Do:
1. Ipanema Beach
Neighboring Copacabana beach, Ipanema offers another stretch of beach that is less crowded. The neighborhood around it is more upscale than Copacabana and has shops galore. There was some litter on the beach when I was there that wasn't at Copacabana. It was still a great place to enjoy long walks along the beach.*****
2. Theatro Municipal
Located in the city center amongst art museums, real people with jobs, and an under-renovation library, this theater is built in the grand European style. They offer tours throughout the day, including a tour in English.
The interior of the building is impressive and was renovated less than ten years ago. Our tour coincided with a rehearsal for an upcoming ballet and we were allowed to watch a good chunk of their performance. 
3. Speak Portuguese
Well, I didn't, but you can. It was perfectly easy to get around the city with my low-level knowledge of Spanish****** that I deemed "close enough." Fortunately, most Brazilians I encountered spoke excellent English. When we were both at a loss, mumbled Spanish, hand gestures, and map-pointing was enough to get us through.
Don't Need to Do:
1. Various Art Museums
As an art lover, I can tell you that your time is better spent at the beach. Unhelpful websites didn't let me know that the Museo de Bellas Artes would be closed for repairs the week I was there. The Modern Art Museum was between expositions and only had a limited portion open. Touring the entire thing took less than half an hour, the approximate length of the time it took to get there.
2. World War II Memorial
When one museum was closed and the other wasn't open yet, I wandered over to the WWII memorial that was only a few minutes away. Everyone was confused as to why I was there, but especially the members of the army who seemed to be using it as a training facility.
3. Worry about Zika
I was going to report that I saw zero bugs in Rio but on the last day, while sitting in a park, I did see a few ants. I brought bug spray and put it on each morning, but that was more a show than anything else. It's winter in Rio right now and the mid-60s seem a little too chilly for any mosquitos. There were no giant bug spray displays in drugstore windows or signs around the city. Panic levels can be taken down a notch.
In summary, you're going to have a great time but, most importantly, do your best! Your country is already proud of you!******* You're an Olympian!!! That is the coolest!!
Ever your Olympic fangirl-
KT
*Devoted blog readers know what I'm talking about!
**It's like volleyball but using a soccer ball and you can't use your hands. But the ball still goes OVER the volleyball net. I watched strangers play for at least an hour and was solidly amazed by their casual athleticism. I realize this might not impress you, the Olympian, but this bench warmer was awed.
***True for tourists. Two things (gold medal and Jesus) if you're an Olympian.
****Other people came all this way, too
*****I'm a libra.
******Upon arrival to Brazil, I realized that all my knowledge of Portuguese came from repeat watching is of "Love Actually."
*******Remember my rule: you either sing your whole anthem or you sing none of it. Getting halfway through and forgetting the words is unacceptable. Unless you're overcome with emotion because of the gravity of your accomplishment and the realization of all your hopes and dreams. I totally get that. You're a hero.
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