As early as 1999 , Rio de Janeiro decided to bid for the 2007 Pan American Games over the 2008 Summer Olympics . Rio de Janeiro representatives cited that their beaches were superior to the San Antonio River Walk , their conditions for the games were better , and that hosting the games would mean more to Brazil than the United States . Additionally , Brazil agreed to host the 2002 South American Games in four cities , including Rio de Janeiro , after the games had to be relocated away from its initial host Medellin , Colombia , due to city violence concerns , with just three months of planning . Rio also took advantage of the world climate post the September 11 attacks in the United States , touting that they were a terrorism-free city
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Bids for the 2007 Pan American Games