The year 2016 may, at this point, seem like the far distant future. But for the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2016 is a year that it already has firmly within its foresight. This is the year that Rio de Janeiro will host the Olympic Games, making it the first time South America has ever hosted the Olympics.
When it was announced in October of 2009 that Rio would host the Olympic games, beating out the other finalists of Chicago, Madrid, and Tokyo, it was a tremendous cause for celebration. Following the announcement, nearly 50,000 people erupted in celebration, jumping and cheering in a carnival-like party on Copacabana Beach. Throughout the night, the party grew to a celebration of more than 100,000 people.
With the World Cup taking place in Brazil in 2014, then the Olympics in 2016, it seems that Brazil has solidified its spot as a world-class sports site. The people of Brazil are excited that all eyes will turn to their lovely country, and that the games will take place against the backdrop of stunning landmarks such as Sugar Loaf mountain, the Christ Redeemer statue, and the city’s many gorgeous beaches.
Of course with this wild celebrating there was also the acknowledgment that the city of Rio de Janeiro would immediately need to begin planning and embarking on a series of preparations to take place over the next six years.
One of the greatest concerns of Brazil’s government is how it will obtain enough power resources to fuel the 2016 Olympics while still maintaining a stable electric supply to the city of Rio de Janeiro and its surrounding areas. The summer games in Rio de Janeiro will be the first ever to attempt to leave a zero-carbon footprint, and planners are seeking to create a system that is as green as possible.
One of the plans that has generated quite an Internet buzz lately is Swiss architects RAFAA Architecture and Design’s plan to build an energy-generating waterfall. You can read more about this cool “urban waterfall” here at the RAFAA website:
http://www.rafaa.ch/rafaa/rio_de_janeiro.html
According to a July article in the Ottawa Citizen, Brazil will also have a fully operating high-speed train between its two largest cities, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, in time for the 2016 games. It is estimated that the project will cost $19.4 million. You can read more about it here: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/High+speed+Brazil+train+could+ready+Olympics/3275794/story.html?cid=megadrop_story
Brazil is definitely known for its epic celebrations, such as its world-famous carnival, and the Olympics will surely be no exception in regards to celebrations and parties.
