Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, met with the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge Friday and guaranteed his government’s support for Rio de Janeiro’s bid for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
He said, “I am here to reaffirm personally to President Rogge the commitment of the Brazilian government to Rio’s application to host the 2012 Olympic Games. We will make every effort for Rio to be the city chosen by IOC. For Brazil’s size and Rio’s importance to South America, we deserve to host the Olympic Games”.
Following the meeting at the Olympic Museum Rogge told journalists, “Rio has a good project and this Government support is very important. All I can do is tell the other eight cities to work hard”.
He added that Rio was a “fantastic” and “unique” city and that “God was more generous with Rio de Janeiro”.