Rio to host 2016 Olympics
Rio de Janeiro was elected the host city of the 2016 Olympics on Friday as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) finally entrusted the unchartered territory of South America with the world's premier sports event.
IOC president Jacques Rogge announced that the Brazilian metropolis Rio won a final round of IOC voting against Madrid after first Barack Obama-backed Chicago and then Tokyo crashed our in the earlier rounds of the secret ballot.
Rogge said "the Games of the 31st Olympiad are awarded to the city of Rio de Janeiro" as the Brazilian camp led by the nation's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva erupted in a collective frenzy in the auditorium in the Bella Center in Copenhagen.
Football legend Pele and other delegation members had tears of joy as Rio were later on Friday to sign the official host city contract. Olympians will enjoy competition in the famous Maracana stadium and the Copacabana beach.
Rio de Janeiro was elected the host city of the 2016 Olympics on Friday as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) finally entrusted the unchartered territory of South America with the world's premier sports event.
IOC president Jacques Rogge announced that the Brazilian metropolis Rio won a final round of IOC voting against Madrid after first Barack Obama-backed Chicago and then Tokyo crashed our in the earlier rounds of the secret ballot.
Rogge said "the Games of the 31st Olympiad are awarded to the city of Rio de Janeiro" as the Brazilian camp led by the nation's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva erupted in a collective frenzy in the auditorium in the Bella Center in Copenhagen.
Football legend Pele and other delegation members had tears of joy as Rio were later on Friday to sign the official host city contract. Olympians will enjoy competition in the famous Maracana stadium and the Copacabana beach.
"This is great for the universality of the Games," said German IOC vice-president Thomas Bach.The IOC had in the past snubbed South American bidders (among them Rio four times), seemingly considering South America not ready yet to stage the Olympics, which bring together over 10,000 athletes and tens of thousands of officials and media.
But the 2016 IOC evaluation commission had said in its report that Rio was capable of staging an excellent Games, which will come two years after Brazil hosts the 2014 football World Cup.
An emotional presentation earlier Friday, saying that it was South America's turn for the 31st edition of the Games, also seemingly impressed the Olympians."Rio is ready, give us this chance and you will not regret it," said Lula. "I honestly believe it's Rio's time... It would send a powerful message that the Olympics belong to all continents, all humanity."
Rio then pleaded more than sun and samba, a major legacy for the next generation in a country catching up rapidly with the top economic powers in the world."Brazil is ready, Rio is ready to host Games of certainty, celebration and transformation," said bid chief Carlos Arthur Nuzman.
A huge infrastructure operation is necessary for the two big events, estimated at almost $14 billion. The Olympic budget itself will be $2.82 billion.Transportation, accommodation and security will be enormous challenges while competition is to take place in 33 venues, of which 18 exist.
But the 2016 IOC evaluation commission had said in its report that Rio was capable of staging an excellent Games, which will come two years after Brazil hosts the 2014 football World Cup.
An emotional presentation earlier Friday, saying that it was South America's turn for the 31st edition of the Games, also seemingly impressed the Olympians."Rio is ready, give us this chance and you will not regret it," said Lula. "I honestly believe it's Rio's time... It would send a powerful message that the Olympics belong to all continents, all humanity."
Rio then pleaded more than sun and samba, a major legacy for the next generation in a country catching up rapidly with the top economic powers in the world."Brazil is ready, Rio is ready to host Games of certainty, celebration and transformation," said bid chief Carlos Arthur Nuzman.
A huge infrastructure operation is necessary for the two big events, estimated at almost $14 billion. The Olympic budget itself will be $2.82 billion.Transportation, accommodation and security will be enormous challenges while competition is to take place in 33 venues, of which 18 exist.
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