Brazil's "heart and soul" won Olympic bid

Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has claimed a spirited effort and the courage of the bid coordinators' convictions helped Rio de Janiero win the 2016 Olympic Games.

The South American city will host the Games in seven years' time after beating off competition from Madrid, Tokyo and Chicago yesterday.

And Mr Lula da Silva told reporters afterwards that the 'heart and soul' of Rio's bid had given them the advantage over their rivals for the Games.

'Other countries made proposals while we presented our heart and our soul,' he said.

'If I die right now, I tell you my life would have been worth it.'

Brazil's bid to host the Games was put in doubt recently over fears surrounding the fragility of the national economy.

But after pledging his complete support for the bid, and making assertions that finances would not be a problem, Mr Lula da Silva added: 'We are not a second rate country, we are a first rate country, and that is what this victory means.

'All those people who thought we had no ability to govern this country will now know we can host the Olympics.'

Rio winning the vote at the IOC meeting in Copenhagen means it will be the first city in South America to host an Olympic Games.

And Mr Lula da Silva praised the governing body and its members for choosing Brazil over Japan, Spain and the United States as a host nation.

'The opportunity now is to expand the Games to new continents,' he said.

'We will send a powerful message to the world that the Olympic Games belong to all people, all continents, and to all humanity.'