The 100 day countdown to the start of this year's Olympics in Rio is underway.

The Games in Brazil will be the first Olympics held in South America.

Awarded the rights to the Games in 2009, Brazil's economy at that time was one of the fastest growing in the developing world.

However, since then, the country has slid into a massive recession, sparking civil and political unrest, and creating concerns with the IOC and other international sports federations that Rio won't be ready in-time for the start of the Olympics in early August.

However, local officials in Rio insist the stadiums and other infrastructure is 98 percent ready.

Brazil did play host to the FIFA World Cup in 2014.

Brazilian Army General Luiz Pereira says that experience will help them with security for the Rio Olympics.

"2014 the World Cup was only 32 countries, now we have something like 280 countries, more events, 24 hours per day during the week so of course the challenges are bigger. But the experience we got during the World Cup has us in good shape to do our job and I hope god can help us to do our job."

The city of Rio, noted for its famed beaches, is also notorious for its crime.

Incidents of Chinese athletes being ripped off by store clerks or thieves are already being reported as part of the test events for the Games.

The Olympic torch is due to be handed over to Brazilian authorities later on this Wednesday, and will arrive in the country on May 3rd to begin its 100-day relay across the country.