By Sean Chaffin, Editor/Senior Writer

Last Updated: October 2, 2009; 12:15 pm CT.

Bob Costas – live from Rio. That’s right, get ready for Rio de Janeiro 2016. First Brazil nabbed the World Cup in 2014, and now the Olympics. Today it’s official, the Olympic Games samba on to Rio in the summer of 2016.

The city beat out competitors including Chicago, Madrid, and Tokyo, to become the first South American city to host the competition. The city had previously bid for the 1936, 2004 and 2012 games. The official announcement came mid-day on Friday from the International Olympic Committee in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Tensions were high in recent days as Rio officials charged both Madrid and Chicago officials with criticizing their bid. Thousands of Cariocas took to the streets and the city’s picturesque beaches on Friday to await the announcement. A public holiday was declared for citizens to watch the day’s Olympic proceedings, and citizens turned out in force to celebrate.

By 2:30 pm Rio time, the Copacabana beach in front of Rio de Janeiro’s famous Copacabana Palace Hotel was was filled with tens of thousands of joyous Cariocas to kick off a day & night party featuring many of Brazil’s top bands, including this year’s winning Escola da Samba (Samba School) from Rio’s magnificent Carnaval parades. Millions are expected to join the celebration throughout the afternoon.  

Indeed, one of Rio’s stongest selling points has been it’s nearly 100 year tradition of hosting the international-caliber event, which makes Mardi Gras positively tame by comparison. 

Brazilian officials were confident about the city’s chances before the official announcement, and President Luiz Inácio da Silva made an impassioned speech to highlight Rio de Janeiro’s presentation.

“This time we look at the world and say yes we can, we can do it,” he said, adding the country’s ‘magical’ financial growth and relatively shallow recession made it the standout candidate. Brazil today is experiencing a much more favorable situation than many developed countries. Brazil is experiencing a magical moment in terms of growth.”

President of the Brazilian Olympic Committee Carlos Nuzman took the podium next. He described his past and experience in the Olympic movement. He said he dreams of seeing the whole world in Rio.

“Our economy is dynamic and strong and ready to host the Games” he said.

“Yes, Brazil is ready, Rio is ready. Ready to host the Games of certainty…”

“We are members of the same team that delivered the 2007 Pan American and Parapan-American Games”

Nuzman then showed his now-famous map of Olympic Games spread throughout the world with the exception of Africa and South America. He made a plea to send the Games to South America for the first time.

A video was presented showing various athletic and cultural events happening in typical Rio style. Images of the 2007 Pan Am Games were added.

Sergio Cabral, Governor of the State of Rio de Janiero took the stage and reminded IOC members that Rio was voted happiest city in the world by Forbes Magazine.

Final presentations were made in June in Lausanne, Switzerland, and several International Olympic Committee members said the Rio presentation was strong and the most compelling among the four competing cities.

Brazilians were hoping for the Olympics as icing on the cake two years after it is showcased to the world via the World Cup. The city of 6 million-plus counted on its unmatched natural geographical features, relatively strong economy, and planned state of the art facilities (including Olympics training centers, tennis center, velodrome, aquatics center, and more) to sway the committee.

“I want these Olympic Games for my country. The 2014 World Cup will be a great platform. We will celebrate them together, uniting the two major sports competitions,” said futebolstar Carlos Alberto Parreira before the announcement. Parreira helped lead Brazil to the 1994 World Cup championship.

What are your thoughts? How will Rio serve as a host city for the Olympics? Will you be there?

Check back in the coming days for more on Rio 2016.

OFFICIAL RIO OLYMPIC BID SITE: http://www.rio2016.org.br/en/Default.aspx