Rio de Janeiro will hold the 2016 Olympics making it the first South American city to host the games after a tight race with Madrid, Tokyo and Chicago.

Cities spend significant money and time on bidding, hoping they will reap significant economic and promotional benefits. But do the rewards always justify the expenditure?

What happens when the athletes leave town? Are host cities left transformed or broken? And will Brazil really benefit from the 2016 games?

Inside Story discusses with guests Leonardo Gryner, the spokesperson for the Brazilian 2016 Olympic Games Organising Committee, Ed Hula, the chief editor of Around the Rings Magazine, and Rich Mkhondo, the chief communications officer of the South African 2010 World Cup.

This episode of Inside Story aired from Thursday, October 8, 2009.