2016 Olymplics: Rio "Wins"; Obama and Michelle Celebrate!!

Much conmotion here in Copa at the "Cidade Maravilhosa" as thousands of people took the street to await the decision regarding the host city for the 2016 Olympic Games. There was palpable nervousness everywhere, even as the entertainers at the "beach stage" set up in front of the Copacabana Palace Hotel did their best to entertain the "galera" (these mass appelatives have always been bothersome to me, but no one seemed to mind). 

Finally as the decision was announced, "Rio de Janeiro", people exploded jubilant. The batuca came out and people took to dancing in the streets - not rare at all here as you easily may imagine.

Taking out a more analytical view of the long-term effect of the Olympics (here is an interesting article in the NY Times on that point of view: Do Olympic Host Cities Ever Win?), and only focusing on the "civic pride" aspect of the Olympics, this marks a remarkable year for the country.

From an economic perspective: Bovespa Index back above pre-crises levels +60k), incredibly poverty (or out-of poverty stats from IBGE), the "pre-sal" petroleum discovery, Lula being feted by Obama (here is the video in case you missed it: The most popular politician on earth); Brazil is "o maior do mundo". Travelling to Sao Paulo every other week one can feel the "buzz" of the activity. I am not saying that "holistically" the country is great, just some metrics are relatively much better than elsewhere.

Regardless, yesterday, holistically or not, all the Copa beach dwellers and visitors conjoined to do what the city does best: celebrate.

whether homeless ..

or just a "cidadao" walking its pet plastic dog along the Avenida Atlantica..

people came out and rejoiced.. one my favourites.. this man (whom was also at the gay parade, with his "aggressive" pet penis)...

accompanied by this "big mouth" reporter (literally)...

and being so big and so triumphant...  Brazil even has its "own" Obama.. whom also came to celebrate... with Michelle to the delight of adoring fans.