Airbnb will provide 20,000 rooms for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro

Airbnb has won a contract to provide 20,000 rooms to accommodate athletes and attendees at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The company was chosen over two other accommodation services, Hotel Urbano and Alugue Temporada, which is a significant feat for the Silicon Valley based start-up.

It is unknown how much the contract is worth but it is likely that Airbnb will become a sponsor and partner for the event as well.

There is no history of  the public ever being asked for assistance with accommodation during the Games in the past so this is a notable decision. During the 2012 Olympic Games in London, home owners were actually threatened with the possibility of fines for renting out their own homes.

➤ Airbnb wins bid to provide rooms for Rio 2016 Olympics [Reuters]