Rio erupts in celebration after announcement the city will host 2016 Olympics

Rio erupts in celebration with 2016 Olympics

RIO DE JANEIRO — Rio de Janeiro was ready to party Friday, and it had the best of reasons — winning the 2016 Olympics.

Rio citizens celebrated by jamming bars along Copacabana beach, sipping the famed caipirinhas to savor one of the city’s proudest moments.

A huge roar from the crowd of nearly 50,000 people was heard at the famed beach the moment International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said the words “Rio de Janeiro” to announce the winner in Copenhagen.

“How wonderful is this? We couldn’t be any happier,” said 22-year-old student Fernanda Justo. “It’s going to be like Carnival for a long time. We deserved to win the Olympics, and now we have to celebrate.”

As popular President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and football great Pele celebrated in Denmark, the Cariocas, as Rio citizens are known, raised their arms to celebrate on Copacabana, frantically waving flags and hugging each other.

“It’s a perfect occasion to be celebrating,” said 64-year-old Adaulto da Silva. “The Olympic will change the city for the better.”

The Cariocas had been anxiously awaiting the result on Copacabana, taking advantage of a sunny day to watch the announcement on two big screens. Live concerts featuring popular artists had been entertaining the crowd since early in the morning, and the traditional Salgueiro samba group kept the party going.

A banner half the size of a football field — with Rio’s logo, an image of the Christ the Redeemer statue and the words “Rio Loves You” in English — was displayed.

“I hope the party keeps going,” said 27-year-old Canadian Tyler Rochon, who works in Rio as an English teacher. “I’m already calling my friends so they can join me.”

The six million Rio citizens believe the games — the first in South America — have the power to transform the entire region, promoting social integration and leaving a lasting legacy.

The government has promised significant improvements to get Rio ready, and the Cariocas are hoping they will benefit from the preparations in a city known for its natural beauty and fun-loving people but also for its violent crime and many slums.

“This is huge for Rio and for the entire country,” said 67-year-old Sueli Ferreira, wearing a hat with the Brazilian colors — green, yellow, white and blue. “It’s going to be good for the economy, good for the people. This gives us hope that things will be better here.”

Silva called the win a “sacred day” as he was interviewed in Portuguese by Brazilian reporters in Copenhagen.

“I confess to you if I die right now my life would have been worth it,” Silva said. “No one can now doubt the strength of Brazil’s economy, it’s social greatness, and our ability to present a plan.”

He said Brazil’s passion, heart and soul helped Rio win the Olympics against Madrid, Chicago and Tokyo. The Brazilian city had failed in attempts in 1936, 2004 and 2012.

“This is a day to commemorate because Brazil has left its status of a second-class nation,” Silva said. “Today we’re getting the respect that Brazil has been deserving.”

The games will feature impressive backdrops — Rio’s stunning beaches and famous landmarks, including the Sugar Loaf mountain and the Christ the Redeemer.

Winning the 2016 Olympics means more than the right to host the prestigious event, it means Rio and its 6 million people likely will benefit from the billions of dollars potentially available through new investments.

Brazil is relying on a strong economy to stand behind its $14.4 billion budget for the games — the largest among all bidding cities. However, such expenditure has prompted some local criticism.

“If they do what they promised to do, it will be great,” said 45-year-old retiree Edinalva Kzolw. “Rio can only benefit from this if everything is done correctly, but here in Brazil you never know. I’m hopeful on one hand and skeptical on the other.”

Violence has always been one of the main concerns in awarding the Olympics to Rio, but the IOC apparently trusted Brazilian officials’ guarantees that the city can provide the necessary security.

FIFA’s decision to give Brazil the 2014 World Cup likely was seen as a vote of confidence, and Rio successfully hosted the Olympic-style 2007 Pan Am Games, with no significant incidents were reported among participants and the 700,000 visitors.

Most of the Olympic venues are already in place, and the majority of the competitions will take place near some of the city’s upscale beaches. The opening and closing ceremonies will be held at Maracana Stadium, while the athletics events will be at Engenhao Stadium, which was built for the Pan Am Games and will have its capacity temporarily increased from 45,000 to 60,000.

“I’m extremely happy the Olympics will be here,” said Diego Teran, a 29-year-old Ecuadorean working in Rio. “Brazil is a happy country; it’s perfect to represent South America.”

Associated Press Writers Alan Clendenning in Sao Paulo and Marco Sibaja in Brasilia contributed to this report.