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)

(L-R) Senior Drum Major Betts of the Scotts Guard, Bugler Lee Kidd, Guardsman Adam Deer of the Coldstream Guards and Lance corporal Michael Strong of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment pose in their full ceremonial attire at Wellington Barracks on March 21, 2012 in London, England. The group make up part of the ceremonial military personnel who will play a key role during Her Majesty the Queens Diamond Jubilee celebrations between June 2–5. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Riot police help an injured anti-government protester after scuffles broke out with women police officers on a road leading to the parliament building, during a protest in Beirut on November 19, 2019. Thousands of protesters rallying against the Lebanese political elite blocked roads in central Beirut on Tuesday, preventing lawmakers from reaching the parliament and forcing the postponement of a legislative session. (Photo by Bilal Hussein/AP Photo)

A woman dressed as the Wizard of Oz’s Dorothy walks her dog dressed as the Cowardly Lion as they attend the annual Congressional Dog Costume Parade on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on October 27, 2021. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP Photo)

A lady is seen posing for pictures with Tom and Jerry at a Tom and Jerry Exhibition in Taipei, Taiwan on January 4, 2022, as Covid situation remains stable in Taiwan. The exhibition of Tom and Jerry, which is a traditional and world renowned American animation of the entertainment Warner Brothers, will last until 28 Feb 2022. (Photo by Daniel Ceng Shou-Yi/ZUMA Press Wire/Alamy Live News)

Frankie the Dinosaur, mascot of the United Nations Development Program “Don't Choose Extinction” visits Times Square spreading his climate-related message in New York on September 21, 2022. (Photo by Alex Kent/AFP Photo)

A woman wears a “MAGA King” jacket at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas, Texas, U.S., August 6, 2022. (Photo by Brian Snyder/Reuters)

Spain's defender #14 Laia Codina celebrates scoring her team's fourth goal during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup round of 16 football match between Switzerland and Spain at Eden Park in Auckland on August 5, 2023. (Photo by Saeed Khan/AFP Photo)