RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (CNN) -- Thousands of people celebrated Friday on crowded Copacabana beach as the announcement that Brazil had been chosen as the 2016 Olympics host played live over huge screens erected above the sand. Thousands packed Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro after the city learned it will host the Olympics. "It was a fantastic victory. We beat the big cities. Passion talked louder," said one man as he danced to live samba music in front of the stage. Rio de Janeiro beat out Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid to become the first South American city to host the Games, something President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva made clear during his pitch to the International Olympic Committee.
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Thousands celebrate Rio de Janeiro win at Copacabana beach
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"We owe this victory to our President Lula," woman at celebration says
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Rio de Janeiro offered ambitious budget and new venues
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City also emphasized that Olympics have never been held in South America
"If the @placeholder wanted to be sure everyone had a good time, they'd go to Rio," Torkells said.