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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Can Rio Beat Chicago? Brazil Prez Says 'Yes, We Can'

Lula borrows from Obama before Olympic vote tomorrow

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(Newser) – The Brazilian president, in Copenhagen after some serious politicking to win the 2016 Olympics for Rio de Janeiro, used a certain Chicagoan's slogan to promote his bid today. "Yes we can!" Lula told reporters today, dismissing concerns that the developing nation can fund the Games. "For some countries, it is just one more sports event that they are going to organize. But for us, it is a unique and extraordinary thing."

Rio has emerged as Chicago's main rival in tomorrow's vote for the summer Olympics, and as NPR reports, many in the Windy City would be happy for Brazil to win. A small protest in Daley Plaza led to scuffles with police, and a new website, ChicagoansForRio.com, features locals plumping for their city's chief competitor. "I mean, it'll be an opportunity for Chicago," said one waitress on the northwest side. "But I don't want to pay for it."

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva with Pele and other members of the Rio bid team.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva with Pele and other members of the Rio bid team.   (AP Photo/POLFOTO, Claus Bjoern Larsen)
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva smiles as he listens to a question during a press conference of Rio da Janeiro's bid team in Copenhagen, Thursday Oct. 1, 2009.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva smiles as he listens to a question during a press conference of Rio da Janeiro's bid team in Copenhagen, Thursday Oct. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Fabian Bimmer)
Michelle Obama meets with International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge at a hotel in Copenhagen, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009.
Michelle Obama meets with International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge at a hotel in Copenhagen, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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Aelius28
Oct 1, 09 8:17 AM CDT
Oh god... am I the only one who just doesn't... give...a fuck... about sports? I'm sick of it, even the President is darting around the globe trying to get the Olympics to be held in the U.S., the entire country seems to come to a halt for the Superbowl, and there are some towns in the South that pretty much shut down for important high school football matches. Seriously, half of Americans don't even know who their fucking Senators are but they know almost everything about almost every sport and prioritize it higher than actual real-world issues. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Reader64481089
Oct 1, 09 8:25 AM CDT
I feel the same as you about sports, I could care less about who is playing what inning, which down,all that trash and I have become worse since the Mega Millionaires have sprouted on Basketball, Football, as well as Baseball but that said I honestly hope somewhere other than Chicago is selected for the Olympics, the last time they pulled off the Olympics down South people who rented were driven out of the houses and apartments they lived so the Landlord could double and sometimes triple the price they charged so they could grab the money that came to the area from the visitors. The money sunk in to building the area up for the games was a write off as it was never reclaimed. The Olympics is a money pit for any country and/or city that takes them on and it is total b/s the my dog is better than your dog crap from kindergarten played out on a giant so called adult scale and the real losers are the ones who no longer can afford to live in the area due to greed
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IN RESPONSE:
MarkMcJackoff
Oct 1, 09 9:50 AM CDT
Hey! Don't feel bad about it. Non sporty types - usually those that had sick-notes from their parents to excuse them from the rough and tumble of the football pitch/Locker room free for alls - are of course a minority, and, I , in particular, have nothing bad to say about minorities. That's what they are, and that's why they don't really count in the scheme of things. Now, on this weighty matter of Rio v Chicago, I do hope Rio win out. Nothing could match the womens beach volleyball been played on Ipanema or Copacabana beaches.Vamos Brasil!
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Dr.Y.Dino
Oct 1, 09 8:44 AM CDT
With Obama's track record so far, Libya or North Korea could beat out Chicago. Reply
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-3
Yourself
Oct 1, 09 10:13 AM CDT
Rio will win cause the games have never been to South America. It has NOTHING to do with politics, it's supposed to be about world unity, and unity will be obtained a little more if we finally acknowledge South American sports by having the games there. Reply
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