RIO DE JANEIRO - Nearly 50,000 people erupted in celebration when Rio de Janeiro was announced host of the 2016 Olympics on Friday, jumping and cheering in a Carnival-like party on Copacabana beach.
A huge roar was heard at the famed beach the moment International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said the words “Rio de Janeiro” to announce the winner in Copenhagen.
As popular President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and football great Pele celebrated in Denmark, the Cariocas, as Rio citizens are known, raised their arms to commemorate on Copacabana, frantically waving flags and hugging each other.
Silva called the win a “sacred day” as he was interviewed in Portuguese by Brazilian reporters in Copenhagen. Brazil’s passion, he said, helped Rio win the Olympics against Madrid, Chicago and Tokyo.
“The other countries made proposals,” he said. “We presented a heart and a soul.”
The beaming Brazilian leader sobbed later in a news conference when describing how important the victory was for the country.
“I confess to you if I die right now my life would have been worth it,” Silva said. “No one can now doubt the strength of Brazil’s economy, it’s social greatness, and our ability to present a plan.”
The party in Rio was expected to go on well into the night, and officials said the crowd would easily surpass 100,000 people. (AP)