It is almost upon us. With just a few days to go for the planet's greatest sporting extragavanza, all eyes are on the picturesque Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro as it gears up to host the 2016 Olympics.

A fortnight of sporting action awaits. But amidst all the record-setters and the medallists, this will be a different Olympics. All the big stars will be there but so will be these unique quirky aspects of sport which will make it all the more special.

1. Triple threat

Image credit: Marko Mumm / AFP

Meet Leila, Liina and Lily Luik. They're 30-year-old marathon runners from Estonia. They'll be competing in the women's marathon. Oh and they're identical triplets.

Advertisement

The Luik sisters will make history just by turning up – there are no records of triplets participating at the Olympics together. They call themselves the "Trio to Rio" and only turned their interests to professional running at the age of 24. They may not win a medal but they'll definitely garner their share of attention.

2. Carrying the flame

Image credit: Louisa Goulimaki / AFP

These Olympics are being held at a very important juncture in human history. A worldwide refugee crisis has been going on since 2015 and every day, many refugees from Syria, Iraq and other countries try to make the treacherous journey to Europe.

Advertisement

In light of this, the International Olympic Committee has even decided to include a refugee team at this year's edition, the first time this has ever happened. In a special gesture, Ibrahim Al-Husseini, pictured above, also carried the Olympic torch through through the Elaionas refugee camp in Athens on Tuesday

Husseini is a Syrian swimmer who lost part of his right leg in a car bomb in 2012 in his home country. He fled Syria in 2014 and arrived in Greece on a rubber dinghy.

3. Countering the Zika threat

Image credit: Report 24 Canada

The single-biggest buzzword for this Olympics is "Zika". This mosquito-born epidemic has already scared off many athletes, who have refused to travel to Rio.

But South Korea seem to have hit upon a solution. They have introduced what they call Zika-proof uniforms for athletes competing at the Games. The outfit includes long pants, long-sleeved shirts and jackets all sprayed with mosquito repellent.