Rio de Janeiro will become the first South American city to host the Olympic games. It won the right to stage the 2016 Olympics after the IOC voted in Copenhagen on Friday. Chicago and Tokyo were knocked out of the running earlier in the day, leaving members to chose between Rio and the Spanish capital, Madrid. But the Brazilian city clinched the final count with ease.
Jacques Rogge, IOC President, said, "... Rio de Janeiro."
The result sparked jubilation amongst the Brazilian representatives in the auditorium.
The final result was decisive: The IOC said Rio beat Madrid by 66 votes to 32. Chicago got just 18 votes in the first round, with Tokyo squeezing into the second round with 22.
In the second round, Tokyo was eliminated with just 20 votes. Rio was first with 46, and Madrid had 29.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told IOC members during the bid process that it was time to address the "imbalance" and give Rio the 2016 Games.
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazilian President, said, "Brazil needed these Olympics. Brazil has always been a great country, an important country with an amazing people. I always say that maybe here are similar people, but there are not any people who are as joyful, creative or happy as the Brazilian people. Maybe there are similar people but there aren't. The Brazilian people have an extraordinary character and they deserve this opportunity."
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A man hugs his dog after the announcement that Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009.(AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) |