Brazilian president to travel to Copenhagen meeting to lead Rio’s 2016 Olympic bid

Brazil’s president to push Rio bid in Copenhagen

BERLIN — Brazil’s president will attend an Olympic meeting in Copenhagen to push Rio de Janeiro’s bid for the 2016 games.

Rio bid officials announced Friday that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva would lead the delegation at the International Olympic Committee session on Oct. 2.

Rio is competing against Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo. The winner will be selected in a secret ballot by IOC members.

Rio state governor Sergio Cabral says Silva will meet with IOC members and lead the formal presentation ahead of the vote.

Rio is seeking to bring the Olympics to South America for the first time.

King Juan Carlos of Spain has announced he will attend the vote for Madrid and President Barack Obama is widely expected to be there on behalf of Chicago.