For Brazil, Olympic Bid Is About Global Role

[Blue_Tires]

RIO DE JANEIRO — On shimmering Copacabana beach, where Rio’s body-conscious residents play volleyball and soccer, giant screens are being readied for a live broadcast of the vote that will determine whether this city will make history by becoming the first South American city ever to host the Olympic Games.

On the streets and on the lips of radio and television broadcasters, Brazilians are abuzz with Olympics talk, and there is the distinct sense that this famous party city is ready to explode on Friday with a delirium rivaling its famed New Year’s and Carnaval celebrations if the vote for the 2016 Games goes Rio’s way.

Leaders here say winning the Olympics would be a transformational moment for Brazil, an affirmation of its rising global importance and a shot in the arm to the self-esteem of Cariocas, Rio’s residents, 85 percent of whom supported the Olympic bid in a recent poll by the International Olympic Committee.

“It would be overwhelming for our city, for our citizens and for Brazil as a whole,” said Carlos Osorio, the secretary general of Rio’s Olympic bid committee.

While three other finalists — Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo — have also mounted strong bids, Rio has drawn support outside of Brazil’s borders. President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, who has been negotiating military deals with Brazil, said he supported Rio’s bid “100 percent.” King Juan Carlos of Spain has said he will throw his support behind Rio if Madrid is eliminated in the first round of voting.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/28/world/americas/28brazil.html

[EFerrari]

1. I hope they get it! That would be great.

A nice recognition for Lula, too, one that he richly deserves.

[Braulio]

3. Lula is my kind of leftist

The guy's nearly flawless. They ought to bronze him and put him up on top of Sugar Loaf. The best part is he didn't try to change the constitution to run again, and Brazil remains a great place to do business.

[Blue_Tires]

4. it will be interesting to see how it plays out

if he can beat Obama's Chicago pitch, it will be all the more impressive...

[Bacchus39]

2. good for them. Brazil has the World Cup in 2014, don't know if that helps or hurts n/t

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