OLYMPIC hot spot Rio de Janeiro may be some 6,000 miles away but Bradford supporters of Britain’s medal hopefuls are now set for an action close-up as the city is confirmed as an Official Team GB Fanzone.

As the nation’s Olympians prepare to recapture the spirit of 2012 when the United Kingdom came together to support their phenomenal efforts, it was announced today that Bradford will host live coverage of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The Fanzone at City Park will be the best place to catch the Rio action and soak up the Samba spirit as the nation’s finest athletes aim to make it Team GB’s best ever away Games.

Entry to the Fanzone will be free to bring in maximum crowds and there will also be the exciting opportunity for people to learn more about how they can get fit and in shape by joining in some of the Olympics sports that are on show in Brazil this August.

The Bradford Fanzone’s big screen, run by UNESCO City of film, will show live coverage of the Games at selected times between August 6 and August 21, offering the chance for the city to get together to share memorable and historic sporting moments as they happen.

News Bradford has been selected as one of eight cities to be a Fanzone has delighted Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Sport and Culture.

Cllr Ferriby hopes Bradford’s younger generations will be inspired to take up more sport. She said: “We are absolutely delighted that Bradford is being confirmed as just one of eight cities around the country being confirmed as an official Team GB FanZone.

“We are keen to inspire youngsters to get behind Team GB and support their amazing efforts to win medals during the Olympic Games, and also get interested in sport themselves which was one of the key goals during London 2012. We are now on the road to Rio, so it is a very exciting year.”

Olympic medallist Beth Tweddle, who won a bronze at the London Games in 2012, said: “There is something very special about everyone coming together to support Team GB. I’d encourage fans around the UK to visit a FanZone during the Olympic Games and show the athletes in Rio that they are behind them.”

And she added: “It is great to see Bradford backing Team GB ahead of another exciting Olympic Games and they’d love as many fans as possible to visit.”

The project is a partnership between Team GB and the host venues, funded by official Team GB partners Aldi, Muller and The National Lottery. Go to teamgb.com/fanzones to find out more.