Probably because of the city’s good weather condition, rich resources, and modern facilities, Rio de Janeiro was chosen (after its unsuccessful attempts for 1936, 2004, and 2012) by the International Olympic Committee as the 2016 Summer Olympic Games host. This would make Rio the first Brazilian – and even South American – city to host the prestigious event.
In October 2007, the city was selected to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup as well; putting the city on the map for two huge sport events.
With football the most popular sport in the country of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro serves as home to five of the country’s traditional clubs: the América Football Club, which was founded in 1904; the Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas , which ranked 12th in the FIFA Clubs of the 20th Century; the Fluminense Football Club, formed in 1902; the Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama, simply known as the Vasco; and the Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, which, according to national survey and FIFA fans, is the team having the largest number of supporters throughout the world.
Aside from football, sports like beach volleyball, surfing, hang gliding, yachting, and rock climbing are popular in the city too.