Katy Perry surprises fans with new single Rise for 2016 Rio Olympics

The Rio Olympics is just around the corner and Katy Perry has released a new song titled, Rise, for the mega sporting event. The singer surprised fans with the new single, which will be used by NBC all through its coverage of the 2016 Games in Brazil.

Perry announced the launch of the song, which she wrote and produced, on Twitter with a link to iTunes, where it is available for sale.

"This is a song that's been brewing inside me for years, that has finally come to the surface. I was inspired to finish it now, rather than save it for my next album, because now more than ever, there is a need for our world to unite," the Roar hit-maker said in a statement.

"I know that together we can rise above the fear – in our country, and around the world. I can't think of a better example than the Olympic athletes, as they gather in Rio with their strength and fearlessness, to remind us how we ALL can come together, with the resolve to be the best we can be. I hope this song can inspire us to heal, unite, and rise together. I am honoured that NBC Olympics has chosen to use it as an anthem before and during the Rio Games," she added.

Aside from its TV usage, NBC has also planned a cinema spot which will air in more than 20,000 cinemas in the US starting 15 July. This happens to be Perry's first new release since Prism.

The Dark Horse singer was recently mentioned in a tweet by Calvin Harris directed at his ex Taylor Swift. The DJ accused the Shake It Off singer of trying to "bury him" the way she did with Perry. "I know you're off tour and you need someone new to try and bury like Katy ETC but I'm not that guy, sorry. I won't allow it," Harris wrote.

As for the raven-haired songstress's response? She simply posted a GIF of Hillary Clinton raising her eyebrows and shrugging and later posted: "Time, the only truth teller. 'Nuf said!"