Rio follows Tokyo, to bid for '16 Games

Rio de Janeiro: Rio de Janeiro will bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games, the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) said on Friday.

COB president Carlos Arthur Nuzman announced the decision after a morning meeting. No other Brazilian cities were considered as possible candidates.

Rio made bids to host the 2004 and 2012 games and was eliminated in the first round of voting each time. Brasilia was a candidate for the 2000 Games but withdrew before the vote.

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

Famous for its beaches, mountains and carnival, Rio's previous bids have been undone by the city's soaring crime rate, social problems, traffic and creaking road-based transport system.

South America has never hosted the Olympic Games although Uruguay, Chile, Argentina and Brazil have hosted the World Cup.

Rio will host the Pan-American Games next year and is building a new stadium for the event.