Brazil Bidder Rio de Janeiro Picked to Host 2016 Summer Olympics

Cheering crowds at Copa Cabana beach in Rio de Janeiro as the city was selected to host the 2016 Olympics. Photo by EPA/BGNES

The Brazilian city Rio de Janeiro has been selected to host the Summer Olympics in 2016.

Rio de Janeiro was selected in the final round of the voting at the International Olympic Committee meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, Friday night.

Thus, Brazil will become the first South American country to host the Olympics.

Rio won a majority of the 95 votes at the IOC meeting eliminating Spain's capital Madrid in the final round.

The US bidder Chicago was eliminated in the very first round, and Japan's capital Tokyo - in the second round.

The bid of the Brazilian megapolis was backed on the spot in Copenhagen by Brazil's President, Lula da Silva, and by the legendary Brazilian football player Pele.

US President Barack Obama and the First Lady Michelle were also in Copenhagen to lobby for Chicago's bid but the Windy City got knocked out  early in the race.

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