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Sport - 2016 Olympics
Rio de Janeiro to host 2016 Olympics
Article published on the 2009-10-02 Latest update 2009-10-03 08:32 TU
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva led Rio's successful bid for the 2016 Games
(Photo: Reuters)
The Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympic Games after fighting off competition from Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid at the International Olympic Committee meeting in Copenhagen.
It marks a remarkable couple of years for Brazil which will also host the 2014 football World Cup.
In spite of the presence of US President Barack Obama, favourites Chicago were the first city to be eliminated – a result that led to an audible gasp of shock from the delegates in the conference room.
Moments later, after the second round of voting, Tokyo, venue for the 1964 Games, was also knocked out of the running, leaving Rio to go head to head with the Spanish capital Madrid.
During the presentations of each city, Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had called on the IOC to send the Games to South America for the first time.
"Rio is ready. Give us this chance and you will not regret it,” he said.
"Rio will deliver an unforgettable Games. You will see for yourselves the passion, the energy and the creativity of the Brazilian people.
“I truly believe this is Brazil's time. For the others, it would be just another Games.
"It will not be just Brazil's Games but South America's. It will serve to inspire the 180 million young people on the continent. It is time to redress the balance."
Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero focussed on the advanced infrastructure already in place in Madrid.
"Madrid has a good and firm project with 77 per cent of necessary infrastructure already present.
"This is a sure candidacy as Spain has shown it can brilliantly organise sports and cultural events."
Obama, who interrupted his political schedule to join his wife Michelle and the Chicago delegation in Copenhagen, described himself as "a proud Chicagoan".
"I urge you to choose Chicago, I urge you to choose America," he said.
"If you do, if we walk this path together, then I promise you this: the city of Chicago and the United States of America will make the world proud."
Japan’s new prime minister Yukio Hatoyama also took to the floor in a bid to persuade some wavering voters that the “green” Games that Tokyo was proposing was the right one for 2016.
"Tokyo will show the world how a great metropolis can host an Olympics without harming the environment,” he said.
"Tokyo will provide a Games which assures personal security and environmental stability. It will show a harmony between humanity and nature.”
