Prepares for Unprecedented, Astonishing Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro
3-Min Read: Brazil's show-stopping bid for the 2016 Olympics
Brazil's dazzling bid for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro was all about flair and justice. The presentation packaged a cocktail of Rio's bewitching beaches and heartfelt need to bring the Games to South America, culminating in a landslide victory.
The injustice of the continent's exclusion from hosting the Games was brought to the forefront with two neatly presented graphs. The first graph painted a clear picture of the Games' geographical bias, revealing an overwhelming concentration in the United States and Europe, with a mere two locations in the southern hemisphere. The second graph compared hosting frequency across major countries like Mexico, Germany, and the United States, backing the claim that it was high time South America got its turn.
Addressing the main concern of the IOC, security, the governor assured a unified security command system and even introduced a member of their security team. Captain Priscila was the Face of security for the Games.
Athlete Isabel Swan, a bronze medalist in sailing at the 2008 Beijing Games, offered an athlete's perspective on the facilities, praising them and using examples like Pelé, the barefoot runner Barbara Leoncio, and paralympic swimmer Daniel Dias, who overcame adversity to shine, to make her point.
Lula, Brazil's former President, was a staunch advocate for Rio, emphasizing the country's economic growth and insisting that these Games would be collective victory for all of South America. He assured that it was essential for a third-world country to host the Olympics, to empower those who often felt unimportant.
A key strength of the bid was the reuse of facilities. The Olympic Village would be converted into residential blocks after the Games, and an international training center would rise in the main Games area. The emotional Lula announced that this victory was proof that Brazil could stand tall among the nations, and voiced great pride in being Brazilian.
However, doubts about accommodation and doping persisted. Mayor Eduardo Paes could only confirm the securement of eight cruise ships for accommodating visitors, while negotiations with six more were ongoing. The delegation assured the IOC that doping was a criminal offense in Rio, as already emphasized by the President of the Supreme Court.
In conclusion, the benefits of hosting the Olympics in Rio were evident in the presentation video, which showcased the city's beaches and nightlife, promising the most spectacular Games in history. Governor Sergio Cabral declared Rio the "happiest city in the world," and Lula promised an extraordinary Olympics, with the country already putting in tireless effort.
Sports played a significant role in Brazil's bid, with numerous athletes like Isabel Swan and football legends like Pelé showcasing their support for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Lula, the former President, emphasized the need for a third-world country to host the Olympics to empower those who often felt unimportant, focusing on the power of sports to bring change and unity.
