IOC votes for Rio

^{On Friday in Copenhagen, the IOC selected Rio de Janeiro as the host city of the 2016 Olympic Games. Rio defeated Chicago, Tokyo and, in a dramatic final round, Madrid for the honour of hosting the world’s most prestigious and unifying event. Rowing’s IOC members Denis Oswald, Anita DeFrantz, John Coates and Ivan Dibos were present and very involved. Also present in the room were rowing’s other sports leaders including NOC presidents Denis Masseglia of France and Eduardo Palomo of El Salvador, both on the FISA Council as well as the NOC Presidents from New Zealand Mike Stanley, stroke of the 1982 to 1984 New Zealand eight, and Colin Moynihan of Great Britain, cox of the 1980 British eight. FISA’s Executive Director Matt Smith was there along with Czech NOC Vice President and Rowing Federation president Jiri Kejval.}

^{Chicago started with a visit from US President Barack Obama along with Frist Lady Michelle. Tokyo followed with their new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. Rio ended the morning session with a passion-filled speech from their president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Finally, after lunch, Madrid presented with Prime Minister Jose Rodriguez Zapatero followed by the Honorary IOC President Samaranch making an impassioned plea to give the Games to his country, then their King and Olympian in sailing Juan Carlos 1st. The IOC evaluation commission reported to everyone that the bids were all technically excellent. Then the vote proceeded.}

^{The IOC members were locked in the room while the other sports leaders waited outside for the results to trickle out. First round finished and the gathered leaders were surprised that Chicago went out before Tokyo. Many pondered the reasons after the presidential visit. Then the second round with the expected exit of Tokyo. The new practice is not to announce the voting results so that people could speculate how it was going. The IOC President only announced that there was no clear winner yet and the lowest vote getter was out. Then the third and final round took place. The announcement was pre-scheduled to take place one hour later so everyone gathered in the theatre for the televised announcement. And then the magic envelope was opened, Rio was revealed as the winner and the Brazilians went wild with happiness and pleasure.}

^{Click here to read World Rowing e-Magazine's article about Rio's 2016 Olympic Regatta venue.}

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