As da Silva calls announcement ` ` the greatest power that a president could have '' ` The first gift I ever had in my life I had to buy . Brazil 's president rose from metalworker to union organizer to politician . His election to the presidency in 2001 came after several unsuccessful attempts . Rio 's hosting the Pan - American Games was seen as a trial run for the Olympics .
As da Silva calls announcement ` ` the greatest power 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 several unsuccessful attempts . Rio 's hosting the Pan - American Games was seen as a trial run for the Olympics .