President Barack Obama told President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva that he would like to visit the beaches Rio de Janeiro. Brought up in Hawaii, global surfing Mecca, Obama is likely to be in Brazil soon. "As I was brought up in Hawaii, I feel it would be very important to go to Rio, where I believe the beaches are very beautiful," said Obama, during a meeting on Saturday 14 March with President Lula, at the White House.

Like most tourists who visit the city, the US President is likely to visit Copacabana Beach. Due to its stunning beauty and international fame, the beach is chosen by the majority of visitors for their first dip in the sea. With more than four kilometers of white sands, the beach has an incredible view, with Sugar Loaf and Copacabana Fort framing the ocean. If Rio is awarded the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the beach will host triathlon, beach volleyball and aquatic marathon competitions. Copacabana has a long tradition of hosting sports events, and the beach also functions as an open-air gym, where cariocas go to play football and “frescobol”, run, ride their bikes and, of course, play beach volleyball.

The neighboring beach of Ipanema is also very popular among cariocas and visitors to Rio de Janeiro. Ipanema attracts many young people in search of fun and physical exercise. Rio’s longest beach is in Barra da Tijuca. Its 18 km of sands and waves are perfect for surfing. At the beginning of the beach, where the water is calmer, many people kitesurf. If Rio’s bid to hold the 2016 Games is successful, the district will host a wide range of sports competitions, as well as accommodating the Olympic Village and Media Center.