Posts tagged with "Olympics"

Lula Pushes for 2016 Olympics

Posted by Transparent Language No Comments
Aug 11 2008

President Lula was in China this week, along with Rio de Janeiro’s governor Sergio Cabral to promote the city of Rio for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Since the Olympics has never been held in South America, Lula pushed for the games to be held in Brazil, citing the country’s growing economy and better infrastructure. He claims that the Olympics shouldn’t just be held in rich countries, claiming that the financial burden would be manageable. He stressed that Brazil and South America as a whole deserve this opportunity.

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Rio de Janeiro is up against Chicago, Madrid, and Tokyo for the 2016 Games. GamesBids.com, a website that rates potential Olympic cities, has rated Chicago as the most likely candidate to win the games. However, Rio was the site of the 2007 Pan American Games, and will be one of several Brazilian cities to host the 2014 World Cup.

To read the transcript of Lula’s speech on a weekly radio address about the Olympics, click here.

Brazil Gears Up for the Olympics

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Aug 4 2008

This year, Brazil is sending the largest delegation of athletes in history: 277 in total, which includes 132 women. The delegation is hoping to increase the number of medals Brazil wins this year, up from the five gold, two silver, and three bronze in Athens. Projections estimate that Brazil could place 13th in terms of medals this year, with six gold, three silver, and four bronze.   

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With star athletes and a budget of $125 million, boosted from the national lottery, the Brazilian Olympic Committee has high hopes for Beijing. Brazilian athletes proved themselves at the 2007 Pan Am Games, held in Rio de Janeiro, and won a record 157 medals, so officials expect similar results at the Olympics. In addition, Rio de Janeiro is bidding for the 2016 Olympic Games, and hopes that the country as a whole will prove itself as an Olympic power.

Some athletes to watch for:

  • Marta, women’s soccer
  • Ronaldinho, men’s soccer
  • Diego Hypolito, men’s gymnastics
  • Daiane dos Santos, women’s gymnastics
  • Rodrigo Pessoa, men’s equestrian
  • Robert Scheidt, men’s sailing
  • Larissa, women’s beach volleyball
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