Paulo Coelho and the story of the Olympic rings (AFP): "Brazil's best-selling novelist Paulo Coelho put his substantial literary weight behind Rio de Janeiro's 2016 Olympic bid here Thursday.
Coelho, speaking on the eve of the IOC vote, outlined what it would signify for Brazilians to stage the world's greatest sporting event."
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- Justice Minister Tarso Genro said,
Brazil minister: Pan Ams crucial to aid Rio's bid(USA Today): and suggested "that Rio isn't the only candidate city with safety concerns, and said it frequently handles large events without incident -- including a New Year's celebration that attracts nearly two million people each year, the world's largest annual Carnival party and the 2007 Pan American Games.International Olympic Committee officials are more concerned about Rio's ability to provide enough hotel rooms and adequate public transportation, Genro said at an event Thursday night to give the city $55 million in federal funding for crime fighting programs.
The Brazilian sports minister noted the 2014 World Cup should help Brazil increase the number of hotel rooms in Rio and fix most of the transportation problems ahead of the Olympics."
- Rio tells Obama and Olympics rivals: "Yes we can" (Reuters): "Brazil's president took a leaf out of Barack Obama's electioneering manual to cast aside any lingering doubts about Rio's ability to stage the 2016 Olympic Games with an emphatic 'Yes we can' rallying cry on Thursday."
- Friday's vote by the International Olympic Committee in Copenhagen to select the host city for the 2016 Summer Games is too close to call. (AP):
"Any of the four candidate cities -- Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo -- could win. Then again, any city could go out in the first round of the secret ballot." - Brazil's message: Live up to Olympic principles (AP): "Brazilians are confident that if the International Olympic Committee practices what it preaches, then Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Summer Games.
After all, a defining principle of the modern IOC is "universality" -- the idea that every country should have the chance to participate actively in what it calls the Olympic Movement. Another of its buzzwords is "legacy" -- the concept that hosting an Olympics is not just a two-week spectacle but a catalyst for remaking a city, a country and a people." - How is the Olympic Host City Chosen? (TIME)
Rio de Janeiro is preparing for a giant celebration on Copacabana beach in anticipation of the IOC vote selecting Rio. DetaIls at Rio preparing big party for Olympic announcement
What are your thoughts on the selection?
Aerial view of Copacabana beach is displayed with the kind permission of Peter and Jackie Main.