Brazilian President: Rio de Janeiro can win bid to host 2016 Olympics

Lula: Rio can win bid for 2016 Olympics

SAO PAULO — Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says Rio de Janeiro can win its bid for the 2016 Olympics and become the first South American country to host the Olympics.

Silva said several times Monday in his weekly address that Rio has a good chance to land the games. He said he believes “we’ll come back from Copenhagen with a victory.”

Silva will travel to Copenhagen to lobby for Brazil ahead of a vote Friday by the International Olympic Committee.

The IOC votes by secret ballot over several rounds. Rio and Chicago look to be the main contenders. Madrid and Tokyo also are in the running.