By: Natalie Norman-Kehe

Although many problems occurred within the mere months before the 2016 Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee chose Rio De Janeiro to be the official host of the games.   

In 2009, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil was chosen to host the 2016 Summer Olympics games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).  Unbeknownst to them, a plethora of problems would occur within the country only a few months before the games.  Athletes such as soccer superstar Rivaldo are encouraging people to not attend the games this year.  

Although many people are weary whether or not to attend the games, originally these are the reasons why the IOC chose Brazil to host:

1. Every country interested in hosting the games had to submit a technical proposal and the  IOC chose Rio because of their proposal.  Rio’s technical proposal illustrated their vision to use the Olympic games as a catalyst for social integration and ultimately to better their country.  The main methods proposed for this integration are as follows: “social inclusion through sport and leisure, elite sport, expansion of sport infrastructure and hosting major sports events,” as said in Brazil’s technical proposal.  Also, Rio’s plan was consistently centered around the theme, “Live Your Passion,” which, according to their technical proposal, is based on celebration and transformation.  Rio also proposed to use the infrastructure from the games, even after the games are over.
2. Brazil’s government structure, which includes a local, state, and federal government, provide a sense of unity, according to the IOC.  All of their government structures all have a specific role in the overall organization of their government.  All the forms of government are also directly elected by the people.
3. The Olympic games have never been held in South America.  Although the Olympic games were first held in Greece more than 3,000 years ago, the first modern Olympic games were held in 1896.  There have been 27 Olympic games since then, and not once has any country in South America hosted the games.  As the largest country in South America and the fifth largest country in the world, the IOC chose Brazil to represent South America and host the 2016 games.
4. IOC also chose Brazil to host the games because of Brazil’s fierce sporting culture.  “Due to its temperate conditions all year round, Brazil has established a significant sporting culture. Not only are sports widely played and popular amongst vast majorities of the population, but they are also varied in nature,” Brazil.org said.
5. And lastly, according to the IOC, the opportunity to host the games is a one which will bring Brazil many opportunities to better their country. “…the International Olympic Committee understood what the power of transformation of these Games would mean to Rio, Brazil and South America,” said the IOC.  According to NPR, the 2012 London Olympics brought in the British government one billion dollars more than the 15 billion dollars they spent on the 2012 games, and according to Olympic.org, the 2012 games provided thousands of jobs to the people of Great Britain that would greatly benefit their community.  

In choosing Brazil to host the 2016 games, the IOC had this type of financial and economic gain in mind for the country.  With only one month to go before the games on August 5, the IOC had some very logical reasons to choose Brazil to host the games.  Only time will tell whether or not the games will be a success and will bring the sort of prosperity intended from their technical proposal and the IOC’s decision to allow Brazil to host.