LATEST NEWS: Madrid Loses Bid to Rio De Janeiro for 2016 Olympic Games

The International Olympic Committee has just chosen Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to host the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics Games. Brazil will be the first South American country to host an Olympic Games. The contingents of Brazil and Spain gave impassioned speeches and spectacular presentations of their respective countries during the 121st IOC Session and XIII Olympic Congress in Copenhagen. Madrid had the backing of the Spanish king whilst Rio de Janeiro had Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Making his speech in the Bella Center, King Juan Carlos emphasized the importance of tradition along with the theme of keeping the human touch to the Olympic proceedings.

Spain last held a Summer Olympics Games in 1992. The city was Barcelona.

Photo: REUTERS

Birth of Daughter to Alexia of Greece

Princess Alexia of Greece, daughter of ex-King Constantine of Greece, gave birth to a daughter at 10:10pm (local time) on Friday at the Centro Médico Teknon in Barcelona. The baby weighed 3,9 kg (8.6 lbs.) and her length was 52,5 cm (20.67 in.) She will be called Amelia. Alexia and her husband, Carlos Morales Quintana, have three older children, Arietta, Anna-Maria and Carlos. The former king and his wife, Queen Anne-Marie, now have eight grandchildren.