The President of the Republic addressed a message of congratulations to his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, for the choice of Rio de Janeiro as the site for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Following is the text of the message from President Aníbal Cavaco Silva:

"Mister President and dear Friend,

At the moment when the decision is known of the decision of the International Olympic Committee to appoint Rio de Janeiro to organize the 2016 Summer Olympics, a candidacy for which Portugal expressed its firm and clear support, I wish to convey to Your Excellency and to all the People of Brazil, in my own name and on behalf of all the People of Portugal, our most heartfelt congratulations.

Portugal shares the justified pride and joy of our kindred People of Brazil, convinced that it would be very difficult to find a candidacy which, in addition to the merits of its technical theses, could better embody the spirit the presides to the Olympic ideals.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva"