Rio de Janeiro, March 13 (IANS): The Rio 2016 Olympic Village is 75 percent complete and is on track for its December deadline, the organisers have said.

The progress update came as the countdown to the arrival of the first athletes hit the 500-day mark, reports Xinhua.

"Today is a very special date, as the village will be the first Games venue to open to the athletes," Rio 2016 Olympic village director Mario Cilenti told Rio2016.com.

"The doors will be open to welcome the athletes from 9am on July 24, 2016, when everything will be fully operational."

The village is being constructed next to Barra Olympic Park, in Rio de Janeiro's west. It will comprise 31 buildings - each with 17 floors - 3,604 apartments, 10,160 bedrooms and a total capacity for 18,000 guests.

Construction of the complex began in July 2012, passing the halfway mark in September. During the Games it will boast facilities like a health care center, a cafeteria for 5,000 diners and a gym.

Organisers have gone to great lengths to ensure the comfort of athletes.

Doors are 10cm wider than normal, showers will be 2.2m tall and beds 2.17m long.

After the Games the village will be transformed into a residential complex.