Today.Az » Society » Barack Obama: Brazil's winning the bid to hold 2016 Olympic Games is hostoric event
03 October 2009 [09:22] - Today.Az
US President Barack Obama congratulated Brazil for winning the bid Friday to hold the 2016 Summer Games shortly after returning from his failed effort in Copenhagen to convince Olympic officials that Chicago would have been the best host, dpa reported.
"I do want to congratulate Rio de Janeiro and the nation of Brazil for winning the 2016 Olympics," said Obama, whose worldwide popularity was not enough to persuade the International Olympic Committee to award his hometown with the Games.
Obama's rare defeat on the international stage was as equally stunning as Chicago's ouster in the first round of voting Friday. The city was heavily favoured in the competition that also included Madrid and Tokyo.
Obama made a quick trip to Copenhagen to make a last minute push for Chicago. First Lady Michelle had arrived earlier in the week on Chicago's behalf. Other US celebrity lobbyists included Oprah Winfrey and Michael Jordan.
"I could not be prouder of my home town of Chicago," Obama said. "I have no doubt that it was the strongest bid possible."
Obama had received some criticism at home for going on the trip at a time when the US economy is still down. But White House spokesman Robert Gibbs rebuffed the criticism by saying it was "absolutely" worth the trip.
Obama was consoled by the fact the Games will still be played in the Western Hemisphere, calling South America's first chance to host the Olympics a "historic event."
"We welcome this extraordinary sign of process and the fact the 2016 games will be in the Americas," Obama said.
Obama and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva, who have a close relationship, had been engaged in a friendly war of words in recent weeks about their front running cities. Obama noted the competition will continue once the Games begin.
"I had a chance to talk to President Lula and gave him a hearty congratulations, and told him that our athletes will see him on the field of competition in 2016," Obama said.
The IOC's denial of Chicago raised questions about whether stricter visa and security measures for travellers to the US enacted after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks makes it more difficult for US cities bidding for the Olympics.
US State Department spokesman Ian Kelly rejected the notion but acknowledged there is an "image" problem associated with the red tape for visiting the United States.
"The image may have had something to do with it, yes, but I don't think that's the reality," Kelly said. "There are other factors, here, too. I mean, South America's never hosted an Olympics."
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