It Will Be South America’s First Olympic Berth
Rio de Janeiro is a beautiful city, so long as you don't wander into the wrong part of town. But I suppose the same thing can be said for Chicago (minus perhaps the beautiful part) (Photo: 02varvara.wordpress.com)
After a heated battle between Chicago, Madrid, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has selected Rio de Janeiro as the home for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Brazil’s former capital city and hot tourist spot beat out Madrid in the final round of voting in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Obama Wasn’t Enough to Secure it For Chicago
Like other nations whose presidents appeared to bid for the honor of the Summer Games, President Obama helped make the case for his hometown of Chicago. I imagine he was as charming as he typically is, but perhaps he was a bit worn from his health care reform battles to give that 110 percent. Or maybe Rio had more exotic bribes to offer the IOC (see http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h2MTy8-tvDAsr4SConcrsoV3C3KQD9B2PGOG0) than a Blagoesque coiffure.
Of course bribes can’t be condoned. If the IOC members actually needed money, they should look into personal loans.
The last time the Summer Olympic Games appeared in the United States was in 1996, when it appeared in Atlanta, Georgia. The 2002 Winter Olympics were held in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Rio Delivered “A Passionate Appeal”
According to the Huffington Post, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told the IOC members that it was time the Olympic Games “belonged to people of all continents.” Rio 2016 campaign president Carlos Nuzman, who addressed IOC members as “dear friends,” urged the committee to “inspire 400 million South American people.”
“Rio is ready,” President Silva exclaimed. “Give us this chance and you will not regret it, be sure.”
An Economy Grown Strong
In a 45-minute multilingual presentation, Brazil promised the IOC that Rio de Janeiro they would deliver a “safe Olympics, and that the Brazilian economy could guarantee financial stability.” The city’s government planned to spend $14.4 billion on venues and infrastructure for the 2016 Summer Olympics. That is reported to have been the highest amount among the finalists.
Henrique Meirelles of Brazil’s Central Bank concurred that the country’s economy is strong. In fact, Rio 2016 pointed out that Brazil is the only country among the world’s top 10 economies that has never hosted an Olympic Games. By 2016, they estimate they’ll be the fifth largest.
What About Education and Social Services?
Some are calling for the $14.4 billion to be put to better use, such as for improving education across Brazil, or to improve living conditions for the out-of-control poverty found outside the city center. However, Rio 2016 argued that granting Brazil the Summer Games would create a cash infusion that would “transform the city.” This is apparently in concert with one of the IOC’s closely held ideals of transformation through the unity of athletic competition. If you’ve ever seen the movie “City of God,” I’m sure you can imagine how happy the slum dwellers must be. You won’t be able to find them during the Olympic “street sweeping,” however.
But They’ll Be Back
I hate to rain on Rio de Janeiro’s parade. Hosting an Olympic Games is a great thing. However, the reality is that social injustice will continue. A sporting event of any size won’t change that for long.
It Wasn’t All Roses For Rio
Early in the consideration process, Rio is reported to have scored low marks when it came to being able to meet the technical aspects of hosting the 2016 Summer Games. However, once IOC members actually visited Rio de Janeiro five months ago, the city leapt back into contention. I’m sure the IOC members had a great time and were well-lubricated.
A Near Centenarian Played His Part
Rio was already a front runner in the waning moments of the vote for the 2016 Summer Olympics, and the input of the IOC’s longest-standing member may have helped seal the deal. Joao Havelange, who will be 100 years old just weeks before the Rio Olympics open, said that “I dream of seeing history being made in 2016.” Havelange has been an IOC member for 46 years.
Apply Now!A Summer Olympic Games presents a tremendous cash advance for a city. For an individual, personal loans are similarly helpful when there’s a financial emergency that requires quick cash.
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I’d love to go there!
This is an obvious decision…who would choose Chicago over Rio De Janero??