The Rio de Janeiro Olympics kick off on August 5 for some two weeks of competitive games drawing athletes as well as audiences from around the world. As they prepare to cover the event, Reuters photographers look back on their favourite pictures from past Olympics where they captured the action on the ground as well as the participants' tears and joy that followed. (Photo by Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)

A diesel locomotive has ended up in the river Venoge on March 8, 2013 near Penthalaz, Western Switzerland. The freight locomotive derailed near Cossonez railway station with its driver slightly injured. (Photo by Fabrice Coffrini/AFP Photo)

“Light From Heaven”. Taken around Mount Bromo, East Java, Indonesia in the morning. Photo location: East Java, Indonesia. (Photo and caption by Pimpin Nagawan/National Geographic Photo Contest)

ATTENTION! All pictures are presented in high resolution. To see Hi-Res images – just TWICE click on any picture. In other words, click small picture – opens the BIG picture. Click BIG picture – opens VERY BIG picture.

Girls ride on a donkey cart with grass for animals on the outside of Nangarhar province, Afghanistan May 19, 2015. (Photo by Reuters/Parwiz)

Riot Police form a cordon as a Police car burns on the opening day of the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on March 18, 2015. Supporters of the so-called Blockupy alliance consisting of social movements, activists, workers, trade unions and parties are expected to stage large protests against austerity and the authority of the European Central Bank when the bank's new headquarters officially will be on March 18, 2015. (Photo by Odd Andersen/AFP Photo)

Model Bella Hadid is seen on June 9, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/GC Images)

A student activist is detained during a silent protest after Thailand's election commission filed charges against a group for posting “foul and strong” comments online criticising a military-backed draft constitution, in Bangkok, Thailand April 27, 2016. (Photo by Jorge Silva/Reuters)

Young women prepare for Notting Hill Carnival on August 27, 2017 in London, England. The Notting Hill Carnival began with a special ceremony of remembrance following the Grenfell fire tragedy. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)