Officials with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) last week congratulated the Rio de Janeiro Bid Committee for earning the honour on Friday (Oct. 2) of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in 2016. It marks the first time a South American country will host the Games.

The Brazilian city was selected by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its 121st Session in Copenhagen, Denmark out of a pool of four cities that also included Madrid, Tokyo and Chicago.

“We congratulate the people of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil in their successful bid to host the 2016 Games — the first time the Games will ever be held in South America,” said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer. “It’s been six years since Vancouver earned the right to host the 2010 Winter Games and now our Games are less than five months away. We know full well the excitement you're feeling right now and the incredibly rewarding challenges that lie ahead. We look forward to sharing our experiences and knowledge with the IOC and the Rio de Janeiro Organizing Committee as they prepare to wow the world in 2016.

“We also wish future success to the cities of Madrid, Tokyo and Chicago, who gave their hearts to this challenging endeavour. The world has recognized your passion for sport through this bidding process and your commitment to someday welcoming the world as hosts of the Games. In 2010, we look forward to welcoming all of you in Canada.”

Furlong and VANOC's deputy CEO, Dave Cobb, attended the IOC's 121st Session and XIII Olympic Congress in Denmark and were to present Vancouver 2010's final pre-Games report on Wednesday (Oct. 7).