Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was elected on October 2 to be the host city of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The announcement was made at the 121st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Copenhagen, Denmark. International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President and IOC member Sir Philip Craven, IPC Governing Board member and member of the IOC 2016 Evaluation Commission Greg Hartung, and IPC CEO Xavier Gonzalez were among the attendees.
“I want to congratulate Rio de Janeiro to be elected as host city for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016,” Craven said. “I know that Rio will do a great job in setting up unique and inspiring Paralympic Games in seven years time.”
He continued, “The quality of all bids was very high, including the content of each presentation about the Paralympics. I am confident that any of the four cities would have put on great Paralympic Games.”
Following three rounds of voting by eligible IOC members, Rio de Janeiro eventually triumphed by taking 66 votes from a possible 98. Other Candidate cities competing for the right to host the 2016 Games were Chicago, United States; Tokyo, Japan; and Madrid, Spain.
According to a press release on the IPC website, “The purpose of Rio 2016 is to deliver accessible and inclusive designs for all facilities, maximize media coverage and strengthen the Paralympic Movement. The Olympic and Paralympic Games are the pinnacle of every athlete’s career. Rio 2016 will strive to provide conditions that enable the athletes to compete in an environment of excellence, friendship, and enjoyment.”
