CARNIVAL BEGAN early in Rio de Janeiro yesterday, following the decision to hand the Brazilian city the 2016 Olympic Games.

When the announcement finally came, pandemonium broke out on Rio’s Copacabana beach, where an estimated 15,000 flag-waving locals had gathered from early morning for a series of celebratory rock and samba concerts.

At Rio’s annual film festival, which coincided with the decision, filmmakers and journalists downed tools to watch the decision in one of the event’s cinemas.

When the result came through hundreds of Brazilians erupted with the words, “Que Delicia!” – Delicious.

“This will help Rio reposition itself as the Marvellous City,” beamed Ilda Santiago, director of the film festival. “It will help Brazil remake its image and it will bring a new vitality to the city. This will show the world that we can be the stage for big events.”

While most Brazilians reacted with joy, Leo Burla, 29, who was involved in Rio’s Olympic bid, said he “cried”.

“I worked so much on this project,” he said, with dark glasses covering his bloodshot eyes. “This will give Rio a new impulse.”

“We have to be careful that certain people don’t try and take advantage of this for their own benefit but this could transform Rio and sport in Rio. It will be one big party,” he added. “It will be glorious.”

From the wealthy residents of Rio’s southern beach zone to the city’s homeless population, Rio was united in glee.