Rio wins bid to host 2016 Olympic Games

COPENHAGEN, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Rio de Janeiro of Brazil was chosen here on Friday by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the host city of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

IOC President Jacques Rogge made the announcement after three rounds of votes by nearly more than 90 IOC members.

The Brazilian city won the bid after beating rivals Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid.

President of International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge, President of  Rio 2016 Bids Carlos Nuzman and Mayor of Rio de Janeiro Eduardo Paes  (L-R) prepare to sign the host city contract after Rio de Janiero was  announced as the host city for the 2016 Olympic games in Copenhagen,  capital of Danmark, Oct. 2, 2009. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)

Chicago was eliminated in the first round of vote as it got the least number of votes among 94 valid votes.

The American city was expected to have a tight race with Rio by the media here, but ended up the first loser.

Tokyo of Japan was squeezed out in the second round of vote with the least number of ballots among 95 valid votes with one abstention.

As many as 106 IOC members as of September 2009, but nationals of the countries of candidate cities are not allowed to vote unless their candidates are eliminated.

In the first round, Madrid won 28 votes, followed by Rio with 26, Tokyo 20 and Chicago 18. In the second round, Rio was on the top with 46, followed by Madrid with 24, Tokyo 20.、