The bidding process for the 2016 Summer Olympics officially commenced on the 16th of May, 2007. As was normal procedure, all cities wishing to place a bid to host the games had to submit a mandatory application to the International Olympic Committee on or before the 13th of September, 2007. Seven cities in all applied for a chance to host the Olympic Games; Prague, Madrid, Doha, Baku, Chicago, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro.

Madrid, Chicago, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo were shortlisted as candidate cities and the remaining three were eliminated. The decision of eliminating Doha was controversial because Doha had scored more than Rio de Janeiro in the initial round. However, the International Olympic Committee said that Doha wished to host the games in the month of October, which was after the conclusion Olympic sporting calendar.

As has always been the case, the bidding process for hosting the Olympic Games spurs numerous controversies. According to the rules of the IOC, no bidding city is allowed to personally invite any member of the IOC for any event. They are also prohibited from giving anything which can be considered as a gift, to any member. However, candidate cities still make an attempt to influence the IOC members with their promotional campaign and public speeches.

The final voting for choosing the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympics took place on the 2nd of October, 2009 in the Danish capital, Copenhagen. Rio de Janeiro and Chicago started as favorites but Chicago and Tokyo were eliminated in the 1st and 2nd rounds of voting. Madrid being Rio de Janeiro’s only competitor, the Brazilian city managed to gain and hold the lead by a significant margin. It was therefore announced as the host of the 2016 Summer Olympics, becoming the first South American city to host the Olympics.