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It was the week of the much anticipated 2016 Olympics announcement. Obama, Oprah, President Lula da Silva of Brazil, Pele and all of the other greats gathered in Copenhagen to make their final pitch, and await the decision. Given the stakes, it was no surprise that Cophenhagen – even if just for 48 hours – was the celebrity capital of the world .

It was also no surprise that the odds makers had Rio (the first South American country to come close to hosting the Olympics) and Chicago (ironically the Second City) as favorites.

And again it was no surprise that the front page of every major newspaper in the world had images of Obama on his way to Copenhagen, Oprah in full media-mogul sell mode and the beautiful beaches of Brazil as the primary backdrop for the country.

But for all the lack of surprises, there was one thing that shocked us all … when in the first round Chicago was eliminated. Gasps filled the crowds watching in Chicago (yes, I actually believe there was an audible city-wide gasp). Due South from Chicago some 5,000 miles cheers filled the crowds in Rio with their impending victory. Copacabana Beach was decked out in the colors of Brazil with crowds comparable to their famous Carnival, or their legendary New Year’s Eve celebrations.

What’s followed since is endless analysis of what went wrong. That’s not the point of this post. As fans, we are excited to watch along with the rest of world in 2016. As believers in the Olympic spirit we recognize the importance of grace in the face of defeat. And as Chicagoans, we are so proud of the efforts and commitment so many people in this great city have made over the last several years – to even get this far is truly remarkable. Our thanks cannot be conveyed in a blog post, but it’s a start.

So folks its caipirinhas, samba dancing, Havianas and thousands of miles of coastline for 2016. We here at Ogilvy PR know Brazil well – we’ve worked with their tourism department for years. If 2016 is your first time visiting, get ready for the lush landscape of green mountains mixed with white sand and blue seas. Get ready to meet people who graciously welcome you to their country, their restaurants and their stores. Most importantly, get ready to drink a real caipirinha on the beach, or induldge in a pão de queijo for breakfast. I have been fortunate enough to experience all of the above and am currently whistling to the tune of “The Girl from Ipanema.”

Congratulations Cariocas!