Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will head to Beijing to attend the Beijing Olympics, Brazilian Minister of Sports Orlando Silva announced on Thursday.

The Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro is competing with Madrid of Spain, Tokyo of Japan and Chicago of the U.S. for hosting the 2016 Olympic Games.

Lula has agreed to act as the spokesperson for Rio de Janeiro's candidacy to host the 2016 Olympics.

"Lula's presence at the Beijing Olympics is crucial to promoting Brazil as a host country," Orlando Silva said.

Nearly 40 million U.S. dollars may be allocated by the government to financing the campaign for Rio de Janeiro's candidacy of the 2016 Olympics.

On June 4, Rio de Janeiro has passed the first round of tests held by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was selected as one of the four cities to possibly host the 2016 Games.

(Xinhua News Agency June 13, 2008)