16 Things To Expect From The 2016 Olympic Games: 1 Year Countdown

The Rio 2016 Olympics begin exactly one year from today. A lot can happen or change between now and then, but nothing can change the fact that LOTS of these things will most definitely happen both leading up to and during the Games.

August 5, 2015 -- The world's best athletes will converge in Brazil next summer for the Olympic Games. They have spent years training, prepping, rehearsing and fine-tuning their particular skill or craft for a shot at winning a gold medal. Of course, most will come away without any medal whatsoever, and nothing but Instagram photos to prove that they were ever really there in the first place.

But even with 365 days standing between now and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, there are LOTS of things we can already bank on and look forward to:

1. Lots of Pictures of Cristo Redentor.

Michael Regan

No one goes to Rio without making the scenic trek to the top of Corcovado Mountain to take a picture at the base of Christ the Redeemer. So bank on seeing this image so much in the lead-up to and during the Games that you'll think Jesus came back (again?). Television networks, photographers and even athletes will broadcast and share enough images of this 100-foot statue to make you forget all about Notre Dame football games.

2. Lots of Stories and Questions About "Will Rio Be Ready?" Before the Games.

EOM/Renato Sette Camara

It happens every time. Stadium construction goes over-budget and behind schedule. Venues are in a state of disorganization or disrepair. Security concerns threaten to detract from the Games. Rumors of boycotts or worker strikes. We've already heard that the water may not be safe and there were a number of tragic worker deaths in Brazil before the 2014 World Cup. But these things always have a way of working out in the end. So stop worrying about the lead-up and start thinking about what will happen to these venues once the Games are over.

3. Lots of Emotional NBC Feature Stories Meant to Make You Cry. Which You Will.

NBC Universal / Via YouTube

NBC has been covering the Olympic Games longer than any of us have been watching, and Bob Costas has been there for all of them. Seriously, this guy deserves a gold medal for not aging. But during their primetime telecasts, NBC spends as much time telling the backstories of featured athletes and the impossible challenges that they overcame to succeed. Injuries, poverty, family situations, horrific blimp accidents... you name it, we'll hear it.

4. Lots of Trying to Figure Out What Channel MSNBC Is On.

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Speaking of NBC, the Universal network will not have to worry about time delays or spoilers this time around, at least not in the United States. Want to watch live fencing at 11am? Just switch over the MSNBC! With so many channels showing live coverage of every sport day and night, from NBC and CNBC to USA, Bravo and Oxygen, the only thing we'll have to worry about is figuring out what number channel all of these networks are on.

5. Lots of Athlete Selfies.

Scripps Media, Inc

Social media had already taken off by 2012, and we saw tons of athlete selfies from London (2014) and Sochi (2014). But have no doubt, these Olympics will be the Selfie Games. Nothing gets an athlete more jazzed than taking a picture with another athlete from another sport or from another country. You'll see Selfie Sticks during the Opening Ceremonies, pictures on Twitter and Instagram as well as fans trying to get in on the act.

6. Lots of Obama.

Brendan Smialowski / Getty Images

With just a few months remaining in his final term, U.S. President Barack Obama will most definitely make an appearance in Rio to cheer on the Americans. This is what the lame duck presidents do, and he'll want to avoid the election circus back in the States. Just like Bush dropped into Beijing back in 2008. Let's just hope Obama doesn't smack any female athletes in the behind like "43" did to Misty May after a beach volleyball match.

7. Lots of the Same Tired Commercials. Again and Again.

We get it, Visa. You're everywhere we want to be. And even more places we don't want you to be. Seeing the same five Visa commercials eight times a night for 22 days is enough to make you hate Morgan Freeman for three weeks. (Not to mention McDonalds, P&G and GE.) And then we'll also see those spots on Facebook, on pre-roll videos on Youtube and screaming at us on ESPN.com and Yahoo. Maybe it's time to change the message... we already know all about the hard work these athletes put in (and the sacrifices that their moms made to drive them to all of those early morning practices). How do we know? Because Bob Costas and Mary Carillo just spent 15 minutes telling us all about it, that's how.

8. Lots of "Star Spangled Banner."

AFP Getty Images

American athletes typically perform very well in the summer Olympics. And for those that win gold, there is no greater moment than standing on that podium, watching the flag raised while mouthing along to our national anthem. Let's just hope the favorites and contenders take the time to learn the lyrics this time around... Because, wow, what a song!

9. Lots of Caitlyn Jenner.

AP Images / Vanity Fair

The Olympics usually brings the best former champions back, whether as broadcasters, coaches or fans. 1976 Olympic decathlon champion Bruce Jenner has been a frequent sight at Games ever since, including serving as a track-and-field commentator for NBC. With her transformation to Caitlyn, Jenner has been very much in the public eye, and we should expect nothing less in Brazil. Unless one year is enough time for her to be just as over-exposed as the rest of her family.

10. Lots More About the American Women...

Bermd Thissenepa

Back in London 2012, the United States won the final medal count in overall medals and gold medals #BecauseAmerica. But so many of these golden moments were delivered by the American women, who won 58 medals to the men's 45, including 29 Gold. Our swimmers, gymnasts, tennis champions, runners and basketball players are no joke. And many are even household names. And speaking of household names...

... and LOTS more of THESE American Women.

Stanley Chou / Getty Images

For two weeks last month, the U.S. Women's Soccer team captured our attention, our hearts and lots of parade confetti after winning the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan and Hope Solo will all be back, and if the U.S. DOESN'T win, well at least they'll have those two weeks in July 2015 to remember.

11. Lots of Questions and Jokes About WTF These Things Are Supposed to Be.

Your 2016 Rio Olympics Mascots, ladies and gentlemen! There are always a number of articles and jokes about Olympics mascots - the gender-agnostic, amorphously animal-like things that the IOC creates to sell some merchandise. What's even creepier is when you see them walking around the Olympic Village like a Disney character, and lots of visitors waiting in line to take pictures with them. So while they are officially called "Vinicius" and "Tom," it's probably best not to call them at all.

12. Lots of Avoiding Any Mention of This Guy.

OLIVIER MORIN/AFP / GettyImages

We all remember the heroic participation of Oscar Pistorius, the "Blade Runner" in London, but might not have had he not subsequently been involved in the death of his girlfriend. The South African runner qualified for the 2012 Games on two prosthetic legs while avoiding any real controversy over whether the metallic legs gave him an unfair advantage. Speaking of unfair, a beautiful young model lost her life, which no one will mention it at all in Rio, and Pistorius will already be out of prison.

13. Lots of The Same Old Stories As Last Time.

Christian Petersen / Getty Images

Yes, the latest installment of the "Dream Team" will represent the United States in Rio. And, yes, they will win. Whether Lebron, Carmelo and Chris Paul return, whether newcomers like Anthony Davis and Steph Curry lead the team, or whether the hype about the improving quality of international basketball gets repeated yet again, the Americans will win. We'll still watch, but we certainly won't be surprised by the results.

14. Lots of Michael Phelps. Again.

Al Bello / Getty Images

Even though he already has approximately 86 gold medals already, he'll be back. He may not be as dominant, and may not even win another gold medal, but with a failed attempt at a professional poker career in his rear view mirror, Michael Phelps will swim again. And NBC will be there to cover it.

15. Lots of Controversy.

It's unavoidable. Someone will be stripped of a medal due to performance-enhancing drugs. Someone will question the age of the Chinese gymnasts. Someone will accuse a judge of robbing an athlete of a high score (or give out an undeserving high score after a questionable performance). Someone will defect. Someone will make a political statement. Someone will get thrown off the team for partying too hard. Someone will say something offensively racist or homophobic about another athlete. Bad pictures will go viral. Crime in Brazil will be over-reported. And the IOC will be criticized for everything (though deservedly so).

16. Lots of Sex: Athletes Getting It On.

Daily Mirror / Via mirror.co.uk

It's both the most discussed and least discussed topic at every Olympics Games. With thousands of the most genetically-favorable human beings cramped into one college dorm-like complex at the heart of the Olympic Village, the amount of sex that takes place is absolutely mind boggling. Remember that athletes get to stay for the entire 3-week duration of the Games, but may only compete for one or two days. Tinder was the breakout star at the 2014 Games in Russia, which led to even more parties, tons of hooking up, and condoms. TMZ reported that over 100,000 condoms were distributed in Sochi and over 150,000 passed out in 2012. With all of the personal records and World Records expected to be broken in Rio, none may be bigger or more explosive than this one.

So... Are You as Excited for Rio As He Is?

Via ryanlochte.com