“Rio, the Marvelous City and the Olympic City in 2016 - For the first time, a South American city will host the Olympic Games,” proclaimed O Globo, in Rio. |
Shouts of “God is Brazilian” are sure to be echoing throughout Brazil today, as Rio de Janeiro beat out three other major cities — Tokyo, Madrid and Chicago — to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. The decision, which will make Brazil the first South American country to host an Olympics, was also a political victory for Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who made a personal pitch to the Olympic committee Friday morning, just as U.S. President Barack Obama did.
Crowds in Rio danced and celebrated along the beachfront as the announcement was made.
Although doubts remain as to Rio’s ability to handle chronic problems such as lack of infrastructure, violence and pollution in time for the Games, most Brazilians, including Worldfocus producer Channtal Fleischfresser, were optimistic that the Olympics would bring jobs and prestige to the city.
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10/03/2009 :: 11:30:41 AM
nya Says:
ya Says:
I think it was the right choice. Chicago may have doomed its chances by sending too many celebrities to plead its case. I think the IOU did not want to be accused of being intimidated or inflenced by celebrities.