“The world has recognised that the time has come for Brazil,” said President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

By now almost everyone has heard that the Games of the 31st Olympiad will be held in South America for the first time in 2016. Rio de Janeiro has been awarded the honour to host the world’s premiere sports event. Of course when the results were announced (and then translated into Portuguese), the whole country erupted into cheers and went into party mode. The Olympics in 2016 will be all about samba, carnival, sun, beach, love, revelry, sports and health!! Anybody who’s been to Rio knows this is gonna be perhaps the most special Olympiad. The mate sellers must be counting the days!

Here is the promotional video put out by tourism board for the Olympic bid. How can one not fall in love with this city!!

The city of Rio de Janeiro is a metropolitan wonder with the world’s largest urban forest, beautiful beaches, stunning vistas from all angles, brilliant architecture, and a very rich cultural heritage. The cities inhabitants, the Cariocas, are athletically oriented, sun and fun loving, and they are more than used to being Brazil’s ambassadors to the world. Ok, everyone knows that there is no perfect place and Rio is not heaven on earth. Counter balancing the incredible attributes that most urban dwellers in the world can only dream of, there are tremendous economic and social problems in the city. There is an acute wealth disparity among inhabitants, giant favelas where the state has no presence, and a high crime rate, to say the least. However, word on the net and in several interviews seems to indicate that most inhabitants think that the Olympics will help the city, the state, and the federal government tackle these issues. There is a tremendous sense of pride that the Cariocas feel for their city and collectively they know they will hold a first class event. Indeed this will be a decade of world attention for Brazil as the country prepares to host the FIFA World Cup of Football (soccer) in 2014, and the Olympiad two years later.

Parabens (congratulations)  Rio de Janeiro!

The master plan for the Games.

People rejoicing at the announcement on Copacabana beach.

Soccer great Pelé bursts into tears of joy at the announcement.