Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.

The Rio Olympics are looking like a tale of two cities

Louise LiuAug 9, 2016, 10:32 IST

Competitors ride past an 'eco barrier' along a polluted canal in the Leblon neighborhood during the Women's Road Race on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on August 7, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, BrazilMario Tama/Getty Images

At the very first Olympics hosted by a country from South America in the event's 120-year history, we've witnessed some unprecedented things.

We've seen Gisele Bündchen walk the world's longest runway and Michael Phelps and other Olympians dominate for the US team.

All of these events are happening in a city where its citizens cannot afford to attend the Olympics hosted in their own backyards, and where roughly 22% of its more than six million residents live in the sub-standard housing.

These five photos illustrate the gulf between the majestic fanfare of the Olympics and the lives of ordinary Rio residents.