The Games is billed as a "unique opportunity for artists and sports-people who want to showcase their work to a global audience"

Organisers are looking for performers from a variety of different fields to show off their talent during competition intervals.

This could include singers, musical bands, jugglers, capoeira groups, cheerleaders and other types of performers, from Brazil and other countries.

Those who are successful will not be paid, but will receive a contribution towards the cost of their meals and transport to Olympic arenas.

It will be a great exposure and boost for their CVs, organisers claim.

Applicants must be 18 or over.

"We want to show Brazil and Brazilian culture, so the more local groups, the better," said Rio 2016’s head of sport presentation, Christy Nicolay.

“We are open to all kinds of artists: hip-hop dancers, samba artists, capoeira players, all kinds of percussionists, actors and even people who merely want to be part of our ‘Free Hug’ team.”

One likely participant is rope-jump artist Vivien Elisângela Vajda, a Hungarian-born 21-year-old who has represented Brazil in international competitions for five years, during which time she has won 10 World Championships.

She performed in a similar capacity at the London 2012 Games.

All those interested are encouraged to email links to YouTube videos showing their performances to [email protected]