Rio gets 2016 Olympics Games

RIO DE JANEIRO – Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach erupted in samba dancing and joy on Friday after the Brazilian city won the vote to host the 2016 Olympic Games, bringing the world’s biggest sporting event to South America for the first time.

The decision in Copenhagen kicked off a Carnival-style celebration on the sand as thousands of Cariocas, as Rio residents are known, danced and shouted in delight in front of a big stage and screens that showed the International Olympic Committee’s vote live.Brazilians hope the bid will help Rio restore its image as a city of cheerful beachgoers and soccer fans after growing drug-related violence has tarnished its reputation abroad.The victory may help Brazil consolidate its rise as a key player in global politics and an important economy that has quickly emerged from last year’s financial crisis.Donning Brazil’s signature green and yellow colours and bandannas with the words ‘It’s Rio’s Turn,’ thousands of jubilant beachgoers revelled to the backdrop of the Copacabana waves and scenic Sugar Loaf mountain – well-known sites the city used in its campaign to secure the Olympic bid.One of Rio’s top Carnival samba troupes struck up as revellers unveiled a huge flag saying ‘Rio loves you,’ alongside an image of the city’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.Above them were television screens, largely ignored by the crowd, showing images of a President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Copenhagen weeping alongside Olympic officials. Surveys have shown strong support for hosting the Games in Rio, and the city’s campaign made the most of the famous passion of its people and its stunning natural setting between mountains and the sea.The International Olympic Committee appeared to be persuaded by the argument made by organizers and Lula that Rio needs the Games to help it overcome some of those social problems. – Nampa-Reuters

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