Nuzman insists work starts tomorrow for Rio 2016

From Gerard Meagher, Sportsbeat, in Copenhagen

 RIO bid chief Carlos Nuzman insists the hard work starts tomorrow after his city thrashed Madrid to secure the right to stage the 2016 Summer Olympics.

 OVERJOYED: Carlos Nuzman, middle leads the celebrations, but insists the work for Rio 2016 starts tomorrow

Nuzman, Brazilian President Lula and football great Pele were in floods of tears rejoicing at being chosen as the first South American city to ever stage the Olympics.

Rio claimed a stunning victory in the final ballot against Madrid, securing 66 votes to the Spanish capital's 32, while Chicago were a surprise casualty, bowing out in the opening round with just 18 votes.

Fundamental to Rio's bid was their need to convince the IOC members that they were ready to take the Games to South America for the first time, that they had the infrastructure and the economy to support the Games.

The IOC have made their thoughts clear, shunning more established cities to venture to new ground and Nuzman is adamant he will not be slowing down until the Games arrive in Rio.

"When Rio was not included on the final shortlist of 2012 in Lausanne I was the last person to leave and then I was the first in the next day," said Nuzman, who confirmed all of the bid team will now take their place on the Rio organising committee.

"I went to see the President and I said thank you very much Mr President, we were not prepared but we will be back.

"Not one of us have had a day off since the Pan-Am Games in 2007. Maybe some of the people can rest tomorrow but I will not.

"Myself, Carlos Osorio and several others have a meeting to start the work because now we have to start preparing.

"I've done a lot of travelling and met a lot of heads of state but I am proud that the IOC knew what the 2016 Games means to Rio - even if I wrote whole book I would not have the words."

Meanwhile, IOC President Jacques Rogge expressed his beliefs that his fellow IOC members choosing to take the Games to a new continent represents a changing of the guard at his headquarters in Lausanne.

"To choose between four candidates is a difficult and sometimes painful exercise," said Rogge.

"Congratulations to Rio - it is clear from the IOC result that they did well to make sure we go to an unexploited continent,

"In 2004 they lost but they stayed humble and they didn't complain. They listened to what we had to say and I think that is a nice story.

"The message is clear - we chose an excellent bid there were no flaws and I think the members chose it for the added value of being the first Games in a new continent."

AS IT HAPPENED : Today's 2016 Olympic host city presentations and vote, from Sportsbeat's James Toney and Gerard Meagher in Copenhagen