Head to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympics!

It's official: Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Olympics! This will be the first Olympics held in South America, so it's about time!

Check out the gorgeous and sporty city of Rio de Janeiro in its official candidate commercial.



A few sport and travel-related facts about Rio and Brazil:

• Beach culture: Locals and visitors alike enjoy the sun and the sand. Chill out on Copacabana Beach, or check out the waves at Ipanema, Leblon, Sao Conrado and Barra da Tijuca.
• Leading an active lifestyle: Although Rio is first and foremost a beach culture, plenty runners and bikers exercise on the city's pathways. Hikers and climbers also take pride in the Tijuca National Forest, located on the outskirts of the city.
  
• It's football, not soccer: Football reigns supreme all over Brazil, where its stars go by one name only (like "Pele" or "Ronaldo"), and the stadiums -- particularly the famous Maracana Stadium -- are packed with painted faces and screaming fans.
• Famous landmarks: Rio lies in southeastern Brazil between the sea and the mountains, giving it a riverside city appearance. You certainly have seen photos of the the large Christ the Redeemer that sits atop Corcovado Mountain. The statue, built to commemorate Brazil's first 100 years of independence from Portugal, gazes over the city toward Sugar Loaf Mountain, another city favorite that rises from Guanabara Bay.
• Nightlife: ...and talk about a city that never sleeps! Rio has plenty of great bars and clubs, most of which are located beachside at Copacabana and Ipanema.

Although Rio's Olympics won't be held for another 6.5 years, the wild celebration that ensued today after the host city was announced tells us just how ready Rio is to throw a party like the the Games have never seen. I don't know about you guys, but I can't wait 'til the summer of 2016!

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