Olympics carnival moves to Rio in 2016

[netfree]

COPENHAGEN: Rio de Janeiro's dream of bringing the Olympics to South America for the first time became reality in Copenhagen when they won the vote to host the 2016 edition.

The Brazilian city saw off Madrid in the final round of voting after odds-on favourites Chicago, backed by a personal visit from President Barack Obama, had gone out in a first round sensation.

They were followed by Tokyo, the only city of the four to have previously hosted the Games, in the second round.

"It's unbelievable, overwhelming and spectacular," beamed Rio Governor Sergio Cabral, while Brazilian football legend Pele was reduced to tears.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) members had earlier delivered a stunning snub to favourites Chicago and Obama.

In a sensational first round, the 95 eligible voters rejected a personal plea by the most powerful man in the world.

Obama had flown in on Friday morning to appear at the final presentation but even his powerful presence, as well as the lobbying of his wife Michelle, failed to excite the members.

"We fought a good fight and I am very proud of the team and the campaign," said bid chief Pat Ryan. "Some you win, some you lose. That's the way it goes."

The American city was followed out by Tokyo whose pleas to host the Games for a second time fell on deaf ears.

The Tokyo bid team were said to be shocked and stunned as they felt their message on improving the environmment radically and placing the accent on youth would play well.

Even an impressive turn by newly-elected Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama failed to convince members. Olympics carnival moves to Rio in 2016
COPENHAGEN: Rio de Janeiro's dream of bringing the Olympics to South America for the first time became reality in Copenhagen when they won the vote to host the 2016 edition.

The Brazilian city saw off Madrid in the final round of voting after odds-on favourites Chicago, backed by a personal visit from President Barack Obama, had gone out in a first round sensation.

They were followed by Tokyo, the only city of the four to have previously hosted the Games, in the second round.

"It's unbelievable, overwhelming and spectacular," beamed Rio Governor Sergio Cabral, while Brazilian football legend Pele was reduced to tears.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) members had earlier delivered a stunning snub to favourites Chicago and Obama.

In a sensational first round, the 95 eligible voters rejected a personal plea by the most powerful man in the world.

Obama had flown in on Friday morning to appear at the final presentation but even his powerful presence, as well as the lobbying of his wife Michelle, failed to excite the members.

"We fought a good fight and I am very proud of the team and the campaign," said bid chief Pat Ryan. "Some you win, some you lose. That's the way it goes."

The American city was followed out by Tokyo whose pleas to host the Games for a second time fell on deaf ears.

The Tokyo bid team were said to be shocked and stunned as they felt their message on improving the environmment radically and placing the accent on youth would play well.

Even an impressive turn by newly-elected Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama failed to convince members.