Olympic Games Go to Rio

The Maracana soccer venue, right, and the Maracanazinho volleyball venue are seen in this computer-generated photo. Rio de Janeiro is hoping to bring the Olympics to South America for the first time, promising to transform the region and captivate the world with well-organized games near the city's stunning beaches and famous landmarks.

Tourists visit the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009. Christ the Redeemer statue is one of the seven wonders of the world.

People relax at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Sep. 27, 2009. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he will "return from Copenhagen with a victory." The International Olympic Committee will decide Friday in Copenhagen whether Rio, Chicago, Tokyo or Madrid will win the race to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

This computer-generated illustration shows the Rodrigo de Freitas Lake, for flat water canoe and kayak events, in Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro is hoping to bring the Olympics to South America for the first time, promising to transform the region and captivate the world with well-organized games near the city's stunning beaches and famous landmarks.

This computer-generated illustration shows the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro is hoping to bring the Olympics to South America for the first time, promising to transform the region and captivate the world with well-organized games near the city's stunning beaches and famous landmarks.

This computer-generated photo illustration shows the Flamengo Park for road cycling in Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro is hoping to bring the Olympics to South America for the first time, promising to transform the region and captivate the world with well-organized games near the city's stunning beaches and famous landmarks.

View of the Joao Havelange stadium, which will be the venue for athletics in Rio de Janiero should the city win their bid to host the 2016 Olympics. Other cities in contention are Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid.

A view of the Maracana, top, and the Maracanazinho stadiums, in Rio de Janeiro. The Maracana will host soccer and the Maracanazinho volleyball.

View of the Rio Olympic Velodrome, in Rio de Janeiro.

A view of the Sambodrome, in Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro is hoping to bring the Olympics to South America for the first time, promising to transform the region and captivate the world with well-organized games near the city's stunning beaches and famous landmarks.

Brazilian soccer legend Pele, left, jokes with Nawal El Moutawakel, member of the evaluation commission of the International Olympic Committee, at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, May 1, 2009. At back is Brazil's Sports Minister Orlando Silva.

Brazil's businessman Eike Batista, fifth left, and Carlos Arthur Nuzman, sixth left, president of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, pose among Brazilian Olympic athletes with a symbolic check of 10 million Brazilian real, around $4.5 million, donated by Batista for the Rio 2016 Olympic games bid on Tuesday, April 7, 2009.

A view of the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon is seen in Rio de Janeiro. The city is hoping to bring the Olympics to South America for the first time, promising to transform the region and captivate the world with well-organized games near the city's stunning beaches and famous landmarks.

Rio de Janeiro's Mayor Eduardo Paes, second right, Rio de Janeiro's Governor Sergio Cabral, third right, and Brazil's Sports Minister Orlando Silva, fouth right, pray during a mass at the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Set. 27, 2009.