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Commemorative coin of 2 euros of Portugal, issued in 2016 with a circulation of 520,000 copies. Dedicated to the Olympic Games Rio-2016. Minted at INCM, Lisbon. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
The center of the coin depicts a stylized figure of an athlete in a dynamic pose, the symbol of the Portuguese Olympic team. Next to it are the Olympic rings and the emblem of the Rio-2016 games. Above — «JOGOS OLÍMPICOS RIO 2016», below — «PORTUGAL 2016». INCM mark. On the outer ring are the 12 five-pointed stars of the EU.
Reverse
The reverse is the common side of the 2 euro coins of the second type, designed by Luc Luix (Royal Belgian Mint). It depicts a map of Europe as a single continent without internal borders - a symbol of European unity. On the left is a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right is a map with six thin horizontal lines in the background. On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the European Union. The band is finely fluted and features five shields alternating with seven castles, motifs from the Portuguese coat of arms.
Historical context
The 2016 Summer Olympics (XXXI Olympiad) were held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 5 to 21 August 2016. They were the first Olympic Games to be held in South America. 11,238 athletes from 207 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports. The United States won the overall medal count (121 medals), followed by Great Britain and China. The Portuguese Olympic team at Rio 2016 consisted of 92 athletes competing in 14 sports. Portugal won one bronze medal: Telma Monteiro in judo (57 kg category). This is the 23rd Olympics in which Portugal has participated, starting with Stockholm in 1912 (except 1932, 1980 - boycott due to Afghanistan). Famous Portuguese Olympians who have participated in multiple events include: Carlos Lopes (marathon champion 1984), Rosie Mota (marathon bronze medalist 1984, champion 1988), Nelson Evora (triple jump). The 2016 Summer Olympics are also notable for the doping scandals and the poor conditions in Brazil before the Games.