Rio's Favorite New Olympic Sport

(ATR) It’s Rio 2016’s answer to Pokemon Go, with crazed fans racing all over Rio collecting the special edition Skol Olympic beer cups.

They are yellow like a Pikachu and almost as rare, with dedicated fans downing beer after beer in order to complete the full set. After all, you "gotta catch ‘em all".

Skol, an official sponsor of Rio 2016, developed the beer cups specially for the Games, featuring the Rio 2016 branding and the motif of each Olympic sport.

The cups soon turned from functional drinking vessels into collectors’ items, with fans keen to take home their own little piece of the Games.

"I love it," said Luiz, a Brazilian fan at the basketball in Olympic Park. "I have 10 so far and I want to get them all. I get to drink the beer and my kids get to keep the cups. Everybody is happy!"

One flaw in the otherwise fun Olympic gimmick soon presents itself when lining up for a drink however.

While many are just keen to satiate their thirst, others are fanatically focused on finding the cup they are missing from their collection. Queues grow as staff and customers rummage through boxes searching for the elusive synchronized swimming cup or the long sought after golf cup. A little frustrating for thirsty spectators.

Whether smart marketing or accidental good luck, Skol beer cups are one of the feel-good stories of the Games.

Written by Alice Wheelerin Rio de Janeiro

For general comments or questions,click here.

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.