Rio de Janeiro to stage 2016 Olympic Games

Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro will become the first South American country to host the Olympics games after after Jacques Rogge, IOC president announce the winner of the four competing city competing to stage the games in 2016.

Tokyo and Chicago were eliminated at the first round of voting, leaving Madrid and Rio as the final two cities. Rio won a majority of the 95 votes at the meeting in Copenhagen.

Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said after the announcement that “The world has recognised that the time has come for Brazil.”

Rio’s presentation to the International Olympic Committee delivered a passionate appeal for South America to be awarded the Games. President Lula told the delegates: “Rio is ready. Give us this chance and you will not regret it.”

“Rio will deliver an unforgettable Games. You will see for yourselves the passion, the energy and the creativity of the Brazilian people.”

President Lula said 2016 was an opportunity for the IOC to show that the Games belonged to people of all continents.

US President Barak Obama and his wife did support Chicago bid and were there in person to make Chicago’s case to host the games but issues between the US Olympics committee and IOC over TV rights may have contributed to Chicago’s early exit from the contest to stage 2016 Olympics.