Rio de Janeiro to bid for 2016 games

RIO DE JANEIRO, Sep 1 (Reuters) Rio de Janeiro will bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games, the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) said today.

COB president Carlos Arthur Nuzman announced the decision after a meeting of the organisation this morning.

Rio made failed bids to host the 2004 and 2012 games and was eliminated in the first round of voting on each occasion.

Brasilia was a candidate for the 2000 Games but withdrew before the vote.

Japan have named Tokyo as their candidate while India, Spain, the United States and Italy have also expressed interest.

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