Like sweet, sultry samba music, Rio hit all the right notes. Chicago had Barack Obama. Tokyo had $4 billion in the bank. Madrid had powerful friends. But none of that mattered. Rio de Janeiro had the enchanting story — of about 400 million sports-mad people on a giant untapped and vibrant continent yearning, hoping, that the Olympics finally might come to them. And the International Olympic Committee was hooked.
People celebrate after Rio de Janeiro won the nomination to host the 2016 Olympic Games at the Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeiro on Friday. Photos: AP
People celebrate after Rio de Janeiro won the nomination to host the 2016 Olympic Games at the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on Friday.
Brazilian President, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva celebrates after Rio de Janiero was awarded the 2016 Olympic Games during the 121st IOC session in Copenhagen on Friday defeating Madrid in the final round of voting.
This computer-generated illustration released by Comite Rio 2016 shows the Maracana soccer venue, right, and the Maracanazinho volleyball venue. The 2016 Olympics are going to Rio de Janeiro, putting the games in South America for the first time.
In this photo taken on May 27, 2009, a view of the Maracana, top, and the Maracanazinho stadiums, in Rio de Janeiro. The 2016 Olympics are going to Rio de Janeiro, putting the games in South America for the first time. The Maracana will host soccer and the Maracanazinho volleyball.
Seen from the air, people gather as the wait for the announcement by IOC members in Copenhagen of the host city for the 2016 Olympics at the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, on Friday. Nearly 50,000 people cheered in celebration when Rio was announced as host of the 2016 Games.
Chicago 2016 supporter Patrick Sterk following the announcement from the 121st International Olympic Committee on the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Chicago on Friday. Chicago was eliminated after the first vote in Copenhagen.
This combo of images shows members of the Rio de Janiero delegation, including Rio 2016 bid President Carlos Arthur Nuzman, centre, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva, second right, waiting before and then celebrating after Rio de Janiero was awarded the 2016 Olympic Games during the 121st IOC session in Copenhagen on Friday defeating Madrid in the final round of voting.