As the only candidate city of a developing country, what is behind Rio de Janeiro's success in beating Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo to win the bid for hosting the 2016 Olympic Games? In the first round, Madrid won 28 votes, followed by Rio with 26, Tokyo 20 and Chicago 18. In the second round, Rio was on the top with 46, followed by Madrid with 29, Tokyo 20.
Rio won the campaign in the last round after netting 66 votes against Madrid's 32.
Analysts here believe that cards of economy and geography played a vital role in beating the other rich rivals.
The personal charm of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attracted support from wavering voters.
Geographically, this was the first time ever that a South American country has truly bid for the right of hosting an Olympic Games, the largest sports event on earth.
Silva, known as Lula, said several times that the Olympic Games should not always be held in rich nations, and Brazil and South America should "catch the opportunity to organize" these events.
"I ask for your support and vision. Rio is ready. If you give us this chance, you will not regret," he appealed, saying that the Brazilian people were full of "passion, energy and creativity".
He stressed that Brazil and South America have never hosted an Olympic Games.
"It is time to address this imbalance," he said, adding that Brazil was the only country among the four countries that have never had the honor to host a Games.
"For others it will be just one more Games," he noted. "For us, it will be an unparallel opportunity."
"It will boost the self-esteem of Brazilians" , "consolidate recent achievements" and "inspire new ones".
He said the bid was not only Brazil's, but also South America's, "bid of a continent with almost 400 million men and women and around 180 million youngsters".
Lula called on the IOC to take this opportunity "to expand the Olympic Games to new continents."
South America and Africa are the two continents that have never hosted an Olympic Games, the largest sports events on earth.
Besides, reports say that IOC President Jacques Rogge would like to leave a historical mark in the history of the Olympic Movement by moving it to a new continent.
Rogge is likely to be reelected as IOC president next week in Copenhagen as there is no other candidate for the post.
The Brazilians also played repeatedly a card of economy.
Lula said "the economy makes it possible" for South American country to organize a Olympic Games.
"Brazil is experiencing a magical moment in terms of growth," Lula told the press, saying that his country "today is experiencing a much more favorable situation than many developed countries".
As developed nations are facing a dire situation in their labor market because of the financial crisis, Brazil created 240,000 new jobs last month and "there will be one million new jobs this year," the Brazilian president told a press conference on Thursday.
Lula's devoted effort and personal charm worked in the final presentation, observers here say.
Lula made a hearted and passionate speech in very short sentences, taking the breath away of his audience.
The IOC listed the strong points in its evaluation report about Rio.
It said that Rio de Janeiro's bid "is centred on the vision of using sport as a catalyst for social integration" and the Games for "celebration and transformation" of the city, the region and the country.
The bid is driven by the Brazilian Government and Rio 2016's vision incorporates the government's plans for improved social integration through investment in sports programs involving social inclusion through sport and leisure, elite sports training, expansion of infrastructure, the promotion of major events and its commitment to bring the Games to South America.
A Rio 2016 Games aims to showcase Brazil's and Rio's capabilities, social and economic development and natural features, the report said.
The 2016 venue plan would be closely aligned with general development plans and the social needs of the city. The Games would act as a vehicle for new facilities, transport and other infrastructure and physical regeneration, particularly of the city's waterways and key development zones of the city.
The federal government considers the investment required for infrastructure would leave an affordable and significant legacy.
The vision for the Games is endorsed by strong public support as shown in the IOC's opinion poll, which was 84 percent, the highest of all the four candidate cities.