Olympic win for Rio de Janeiro well-deserved

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced last Friday, October 2 that Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will host the 2016 Olympics. The city beat out Madrid, Tokyo, and yes, our own Chicago. Despite avid support from our nation's President, the South American city of 6.9 million came out on top of the pack. According to an October 2 Yahoo article, "It is Brazil's time," said the country's charismatic president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

And rightly so, I think. It is only fair that South America be given the chance to host the Olympics, and the fact that it will come just two years after an even bigger sporting event, the World Cup, is just incredible. Brazil will be the place to be in five years, and hopefully this influx of tourism brought on by both events will greatly improve the economy there. Now don't get me wrong, I love my country and generally would have liked to see the Olympics held in Chicago. Nonetheless, it is good to see a poorer country get the nomination, and one that is working hard to improve. The three years spanning from 2014-2016 will be exciting ones in Brazil, to say the least.

Americans and people around the world should be glad that a city in South America finally has the opportunity to host such a memorable month of sports. To some it may be hard to decipher why Chicago lost out to Rio de Janeiro, and in the first round of voting, no less. But in looking back to the past two American cities to hold the Olympic games, Atlanta in 1996 and Salt Lake City in 2002, the past few games on U.S. soil have not done much for the Olympic reputation. The Atlanta games were made infamous for the bombings that occurred there, while the Winter Games of 2002 were marred by a bribery scandal and logistical problems.

In defeating three more well-developed countries, Japan, Spain, and the U.S., the city of Rio de Janeiro has essentially told the rest of South America that anything is possible. This marks a turning point for a country that still has millions living in poverty, a point that was recognized in the same article. Silva said, "Among the top 10 economies of the world, Brazil is the only country that has not hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games. For the Olympic movement, it will be an opportunity to feel the warmth of our people, the exuberance of our culture, the sun of our joy and it will also be a chance to send a powerful message to the whole world: The Olympic Games belong to all peoples, to all continents and to all humanity." - source

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I really think that the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro will make it. Brazil is still considered to be one of the top 10 economies in the world.