Rio de Janeiro: The first venue at Rio de Janeiro's 2016 Olympic Park complex was officially opened late Tuesday as organisers stepped up preparations for next year's Games.

Future Arena will host Olympic handball and Paralympic goalball events next August and September, Xinhua news agency reported.

Its official inauguration won't be until April next year when it hosts the Rio 2016 handball test event.

Temporary seats will be installed at the venue just before the test event, according to organisers.

Rio mayor Eduardo Paes said the arena, like the Olympic aquatic centre, will have its structure reused for four new public schools after the Olympics.