Rio, 7/8/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, César Maia, says he is pleased with the odds on the city in London betting pools, where it is currently behind only London and Paris in bets on what city will host the 2012 Olympic Games. According to Maia, the city has not done any advertising internationally of its candidacy, but is certainly an interesting alternative to other big, well-known cities.

Maia says the Rio has a strong candidacy because of good infrastructure in the Barra da Tijuca region where 66% of the sports events will take place. The mayor revealed that bringing the Olympic Games to Rio will involve investments totalling US$4.7 billion: US$1.6 billion in sports installations, and US$3.1 billion in infrastructure. (AB)