Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva
/ AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Monday that Rio de Janeiro can win its bid for the 2016 Olympics and that he will "return from Copenhagen with a victory."
Silva will travel to the Danish capital to lobby for Rio ahead of Friday's vote by the International Olympic Committee. Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid are also in the running, and President Barack Obama will be in Copenhagen to push for his hometown.
"This is a fight," Silva said on his weekly radio program. "And if we don't win, we'll have to prepare for another one. But I think we're going to return from Copenhagen with a victory."
Silva insisted Brazil has the best bid proposal and said Brazil deserves the Olympics because they have never been held in South America.
"For the other nations, it would just be one more Olympics," said Silva, who made the comments a day after attending a summit of South American and African leaders in Venezuela, and appealing to them to support Rio's bid.
The IOC will vote by secret ballot over several rounds. Rio and Chicago appear to be the main contenders but Madrid and Tokyo are also in the running.
Silva will travel to Copenhagen for some last-minute lobbying, and his comments Monday came as officials announced that Obama will also be going to Denmark.
"I've sent a letter to every voting member of the IOC and I hope they will have the understanding that South America, with 180 million young people, can pull off the Olympics," Silva said.
The city gained IOC praise for having strong public support, financial guarantees from all levels of government and experience from successfully hosting the Pan American Games in 2007. Brazil also will host the 2014 World Cup.
Rio is boosted by Brazil's stable economy and support by Silva, recognized even by Obama as one of the planet's most popular presidents. Expected to join Silva in Copenhagen are Pele, former FIFA president Joao Havelange, swimming world record-holder Cesar Cielo and dynamic bid president Carlos Arthur Nuzman.
Rio also is hoping to gain points with its fun-loving people and unrivaled natural beauty, with mountains covered with thick green jungle towering above gorgeous beaches.
Officials point to a recent Forbes magazine survey that shows that Rio is the happiest city in the world. The city's Olympic vision is developed around the "Live your passion" theme, based on celebration and transformation.
But even though Rio has a lot in its favor and received the least direct criticism in the IOC's report, there is one major issue that puts the city behind its three competitors — security.
The IOC noted that Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo are "capable of providing the level of security and safety required for the games," but made no such mention about Rio.
Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes said the city can overcome security concerns, has experience hosting big events and a big advantage with its undisputed reputation as a hot international destination.
"I don't think anyone can resist Rio's charm," Paes said before heading to Copenhagen.
