The idea was the Olympics would bring Rio into the brotherhood of elite cities, like London, Paris, Rome, and Tokyo. And like Rome (1960) and Tokyo (1964), the Olympics be a springboard for even greater prosperity by beefing up its infrastructure -- highways, airports, trains, sewers, bridges, etc. Brazil would have no problem paying for everything and the IOC would take the credit.
Now, the Brazilian economy is just barely keeping up with inflation. Funny how things change in five years.
Rio 2016 bid was driven by the wish to bring together the power of Olympic and Paralympic sports and the festive frame of mind of cariocas, with the purpose of bringing sustainable development to Brazil and to the Olympic and Paralympic Movements. For cariocas this development would be linked to the transformation of their city by the establishment of a new urban infrastructure, generation of new environmental, physical and social initiatives, new advantages and opportunities for all. Another reason was the possibility of encouraging Brazilian economy and tourism because of the Games, gaining for Brazil a new level of international recognition and enhancing its reputation as a thrilling place, where living, doing business and travelling is an excellent option. Additionally, the long term vision of the Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOC) and of its president Carlos Artur Nuzman has always included the possibility of hosting large events in Brazil as the best way to accelerate sport development in the country.
The committee looks at several things when cities bid and South America has never hosted the Games and that was a big point to them.
We never know exactly why one site is chosen although we do know that Salt Lake City bribed many of the voters.
Because it is an amazing city!
