Lula da Silva calls announcement `` the greatest gift that a president could have '' Brazil 's president rose from metalworker to union organizer to politician . His election to the presidency in 2001 came after three unsuccessful tries . Rio 's hosting of the Olympics was his first major political victory, and he won re-election with more than 50 percent of the vote.
Lula da Silva calls announcement `` the greatest gift that a president could have '' Brazil 's president rose from metalworker to union organizer to politician . His election to the presidency in 2001 came after three unsuccessful tries . Rio 's hosting the Pan-American Games was seen as a trial run for the Olympics .