Vitória!! 2016 Brazil Olympics Carnival

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won the 2016 Olympics to

Rio de Janeiro and gives South America its first Games.

International Olympic Committee members voted for Rio, Tokyo,

Chicago lost immediately, followed by suspense and the defat

of Madrid “It’s time to address this imbalance,” Lula told

IOC members in Copenhagen. “The Olympic Games belongs to all

people, all continents, all humanity.”

Brazil plans $11 billion of investment as host, more than any

other of the bidding cities. Lula said he was representing

190 million Brazilians with his speech. “For the others it

will be just one more Games, for us it will boost the

self-esteem of Brazilians,” Lula said.

After images of Rio’s beaches and Carnival celebration were

shown to IOC members, Central Bank President Henrique

Meirelles said Brazil’s economy was ready to host the Games.

He cited 8 percent growth in the second quarter and a record

employment rate in July. Pointing out a white-suited female

officer in the audience that he called Captain Priscilla, Rio

Governor Sergio Cabral said a new generation of police was

improving security in the city. The 2007 Pan American games

showed Rio can organize a major sports event.