COPENHAGEN ? Rio de Janeiro rode a wave of International Olympic Committee sentiment to award the Olympics to South America for the first time, winning the right to host the 2016 Summer Games on Friday in a landslide victory over surprising finalist Madrid.
Rio earned 66 final-round votes to Madrid's 32.
"From the bottom of my heart, I should say this is the most emotional day in my life," said Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, alternating between sobs and exuberance. "Rio deserves it, and Brazil deserves it."
Chicago was considered a frontrunner along with Rio coming into the vote. But despite President Obama's participation in Friday's final presentation and Michelle Obama lobbying IOC members here the last three days for her hometown, the Second City suffered a stunning first-round exit.
BUMMED: Chicago disappointed with 2016 bid defeat
Tokyo went out in the second round, leaving Madrid, which had the powerful backing of former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch, as the only challenge to Rio's historical opportunity.
Samaranch, who ran the IOC from 1980-2001, offered up a heartstring-pulling argument during Madrid's presentation, saying: "I know that I am very near the end of my time. I am, as you know, 89 years old. May I ask you to consider granting my country the honor and also the duty to organize the Games and the Paralympic Games in 2016?"
Madrid's chances were hurt by the 2012 Summer Olympics (London) and 2014 Winter Olympics (Sochi, Russia) already being in Europe.
In the end, it was Rio's passionate pleas to finally include South America in the Olympic rotation that won out. Rio's victory leaves Africa and Antarctica as the only continents that have never hosted an Olympics.
Story Continued:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olymp...s_N.htm?csp=34