Rio launches Olympic ticket program

The first batch of tickets for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will be made available to Brazilian residents in March, organizers said on Thursday.

The announcement came as the local organizing committee launched the Games' ticketing program with a portal for fans to register online.

A second installment of tickets for Brazilian residents will open in July.

For non-residents of Brazil, fans will be able to buy tickets from an authorized reseller selected by the national Olympic committee in their country of residence.

"Fans will experience this journey like an athlete, preparing and going through stages until the glory of arriving at the Games," Rio 2016 ticketing director Donovan Ferreti said in a statement.

"With so many attractions, it is necessary to get organized early to ensure you don't miss the best of the event."

More than half of the tickets will be available for 70 reais (about 27 US dollars) or less, and the cheapest will be 40 reais.

Some half-price tickets will be available to senior citizens, students and people with disabilities, all of home must be Brazilian residents.