Rio de Janeiro puts President Lula at heart of 2016 Olympic bid, rivals Chicago’s Obama effect

Rio puts President Lula at heart of Olympic bid

COPENHAGEN — Rio de Janeiro’s bid to host the 2016 Olympics has put Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at the center of its campaign.

Sidestepping questions Tuesday about the effect President Barack Obama’s presence could have on Chicago’s bid, Rio’s team says Silva has 80 percent approval ratings in Brazil.

Bid leader Carlos Nuzman said the president — known as Lula — was the most popular in the country’s history.

Silva arrives in Copenhagen on Wednesday and will meet with International Olympic Committee members the next day, ahead of Friday’s vote. Obama arrives Friday and will take part in Chicago’s final presentation to the IOC.

Rio and Chicago are competing with Madrid and Tokyo for hosting rights.