Chicago had the Obamas and Oprah. Tokyo had $4 billion. Madrid made it to the final run-off vote. But all three cities lost the bid to host the 2016 Olympic games to Rio de Janeiro. While all cities boasted hopeful citizens cheering, no city offered the passion and story of Rio. The exciting, fun-loving city erupted when the president of the International Olympic Committee announced the final verdict.
The 2016 games will mark the first Olympics ever held in South America. While the Olympics pit countries against each other and focus on sports at an international level, since the Olympic revival in 1896, only four continents (North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia) have hosted the games. Rio de Janeiro bid—unsuccessfully—for the Olympics in 1936, 1940, 2004, and 2012. Finally, they will have there chance, but it won’t be easy. Brazil currently has the tenth largest economy in the world—and is projected to grow by 2016—but the country is plagued by unemployment and poverty.
Despite the plan that Rio proposed to the IOC, some doubt the facilities and the city can manage the volume of people. Rio plans to use the stadium built for the 2007 Pan Am Games, but this facility has only staged a few athletic events. Brazil claimed athletes and spectators would be very close to the stadium, but given traffic and the isolated facilities, the actual commute could be hours. Brazil has been struggling for years with public transportation, with a metro service still failing to reach suburbs. The main airport is also in dire need of repair, especially considering the throngs of people expected.
However, Brazil claims through their growing economy they have direct funding and investments in the facilities that still need to be built. While opponents argue against the games in Rio, the games will actually increase Brazil’s presence in the world.
