 Photographer: None / Not Applicable
Date: 02 Oct 2009 |  Photographer:
Date: 02 Oct 2009 | | | | |
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| 02 Oct 2009 | |
| Rio de Janeiro wins bid to host 2016 Games |
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that Rio de Janeiro will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016.
The decision was made after final presentations from the candidate cities at the IOC’s 121st Session, being held at Copenhagen’s Bella Centre on Friday. Rio was awarded the Games ahead of strong bids from Madrid, Tokyo and Chicago.
Following the exit of Chicago and then Tokyo in the first two rounds of voting, it was left to Rio and Madrid to contest the final vote. An agonising wait ensued before the Brazilian city was finally given the nod – cue partying on Copacabana.
Rio, whose bid was backed by the appearance of a number of Brazil’s top sports personalities including Gustavo Kuerten and Pele, will become the first South American city ever to stage the Games.
“The ITF would like to congratulate the city of Rio de Janeiro and Rio 2016 on their successful bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games. All four bids were outstanding and, from our perspective, each could have staged a first class Olympic Tennis Event,” said Francesco Ricci Bitti, ITF President.
“As a tennis man, I was proud to see the participation of our athletes, in particular Rafael Nadal who threw his support behind Madrid, and Gustavo Kuerten who came to Copenhagen on behalf of Rio de Janeiro. This underlines again the interest and commitment of tennis to the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement.
“We look forward to a great tournament in the Rio Olympic Tennis Centre in Barra and, once again, offer our congratulations and support to the city of Rio de Janeiro.”
For more information about Rio’s bid and the Olympic Movement, visit:
rio2016.org
olympic.org
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