With less than one year to go until the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and just over one to go until the Paralympic Games, Team USA athletes hare already taken Rio de Janeiro by storm in a number of sports. In February, top beach volleyball teams took on their Brazilian rivals in the Brazil vs. USA International Beach Volleyball Challenge. In August, U.S. athletes competed in Aquece Rio test events in triathlon, rowing and sailing. Take a look at some of our favorite photos as we anxiously await next summer's Games.
1) Nick Lucena @ International Beach Volleyball Challenge
Nick Lucena competes against Thiago Barbosa of Brazil during their match at the Brazil vs. USA Beach Volleyball International Challenge at Copacabana Beach on Feb. 26, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro.
2) Casey Patterson @ International Beach Volleyball Challenge
Casey Patterson competes during his match against Bruno Schmidt and Thiago Barbosa of Brazil at the Brazil vs. USA Beach Volleyball International Challenge at Copacabana Beach on Feb. 27, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro.
3) Walsh Jennings, Ross @ Beach Volleyball Challenge
Kerri Walsh Jennings (L) and April Ross compete during their match against Agatha Rippel and Barbara Seixas of Brazil at the Brazil vs. USA Beach Volleyball International Challenge at Copacabana Beach on Feb. 28, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro.
4) International Beach Volleyball Challenge
General view of the arena during the Brazil vs. USA Beach Volleyball International Challenge at Copacabana Beach on Feb. 28, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro.
5) ITU World Olympic Qualification Event
Competitors swim at the start of the men's triathlon during the ITU World Olympic Qualification Event at Copacabana Beach on Aug. 2, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro.
6) Lindsey Jerdonek @ ITU World Olympic Qualification Event
Lindsey Jerdonek (#11) competes in the women’s triathlon during the ITU World Olympic Qualification Event at Copacabana Beach on Aug. 2, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro.
7) Gwen Jorgensen @ ITU World Olympic Qualification Event
Gwen Jorgensen celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the women's triathlon at the ITU World Olympic Qualification Event at Copacabana Beach on Aug. 2, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro.
8) Gwen Jorgensen @ ITU World Olympic Qualification Event
Gwen Jorgensen (second from right) stands on the podium after winning the women's triathlon at the ITU World Olympic Qualification Event at Copacabana Beach on Aug. 2, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro.
9) Brandon Adame @ ITU World Paratriathlon Event
Brandon Adame competes in the men’s PT5 division at the 2015 Rio de Janeiro ITU World Paratriathlon Event on Aug. 2, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro.
10) World Rowing Junior Championships
Rowing athletes practice during the World Rowing Junior Championships at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas on Aug. 5, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro.
11) Women's Eight @ World Junior Rowing Championships
Members of the U.S. women’s eight rowing team celebrate their bronze medal at the World Rowing Junior Championships at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas on Aug. 8, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro.
12) Bradley Funk and Trevor Burd @ International Sailing Regatta
Bradley Funk and Trevor Burd sail in the men's 49er class on the Escola Naval course during the Aquece Rio International Sailing Regatta on Aug. 16, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro.
13) Newberry and Whitehead @ International Sailing Regatta
Sarah Newberry and Matthew Whitehead sail in the Nacra 17 class on the Ponte course during the Aquece Rio International Sailing Regatta on Aug. 17, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro.
14) International Sailing Regatta
Boats sail in the men's 470 class on the Escola Naval course during the Aquece Rio International Sailing Regatta on Aug. 17, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro.
15) Carson Crain @ International Sailing Regatta
Carson Crain (L) competes in the men's RS:X class on the Escola Naval course during the Aquece Rio International Sailing Regatta on Aug. 18, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro.
16) Haeger and Provancha @ International Sailing Regatta
Annie Haeger and Briana Provancha celebrate after winning the women’s 470 class at the Aquece Rio International Sailing Regatta on Aug. 22, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro.
