Brazil: Carnival meets Rio Olympics as Sambadrome begins

Around 70,000 fans gathered to watch the annual Sambadrome carnival parade as dozens of competing dance schools paraded in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.
Fancy costumes, glitter, loud dancing music and impressive chariots are some of the ingredients of world’s most famous costume parade. The parade features thousands of dancers who exercise all year round for just an hour of performance during the five-day celebrations which last until February 10.
The samba school "Unidos da Ilha" (united of the island) dedicated their performance to the Olympic Games which will kick off in the Brazilian capital in August.
Currently Brazil is faced with the problem of the Zika virus which has infected thousands of people and poses a threat especially for pregnant women. At present, there is no vaccine or medication to treat Zika. The only way to prevent catching it is by avoiding the Aedes mosquitoes that transmit the infection. The virus has spread across more than 20 countries, mostly in the Americas. Brazil has reported as many as 4,000 cases since October. However, there was no sign that the issue was getting in the way of revellers and dancers enjoying the festivities.