Celebrations continue in Copenhagen the second day following Rio de Janiero’s “historic” selection as host of the 2016 Olympic Games.
The Rio delegation continues to occupy “Rio House” at the Hotel Skt. Petri near the center of Copenhagen. An oversized Brazilian flag waves over the hotel and is visible from a distance. On the streets people are talking about Rio while the Obama-mania that was happening just one day earlier has disappeared.
On Saturday Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman said his team was confident going into the election, boldy telling reporters that they had predicted a landslide win over Madrid on the final ballot. He said his team worked harder and did much more than the other bids.
“The differences are so big”, he boasted.
Meanwhile, most of the supporters and members of the other bids have left Copenhagen and returned home.
On his arrival home Madrid’s Mayor Albert Ruiz-Gallardon said he was uncertain whether Madrid would bid for the 2020 Games reports USA Today. Spain is currently focussing on a bid for the World Cup.
In Tokyo, Governor Shintaro Ishihara told reporters “Tokyo’s presentation was far better than the others, but invisible dynamics were at play. It is a game that is very difficult to win.”
The United States Olympic Committee leaders Larry Probst and Stephanie Streeter are under fire for Chicago’s early round defeat. They have remained in Copenhagen but are unavailable for comment according to the New York Times.
At the Bella Center in Copenhagen the Olympic Congress continues as the IOC conducts their business. Tables of colorful brochures promoting the four bids remain; three of them now portray sad reminders of what could have been.
