Brazil may lift visa requirements for Americans to attend 2016 Olympics

Brazil's tourism minister said Thursday that the country may lift its visa requirements so that Americans can come to Rio de Janeiro to see the 2016 Olympics.

Brazil's tourism minister said Thursday that the country may lift its visa requirements so that Americans can come to see the 2016 Rio Olympics, according to the Associated Press. 

The reasoning behind the potential move would be to try to boost ticket sales for next year's Summer Games. 

"We would expand the exception for the visa for the American market for those who want to come to the Olympics," Henrique Eduardo Alves said.

According to the AP, some estimates of early ticket sales for the 2016 Olympics show them “lagging well behind” those sold for the 2012 Olympics in London, however organizers for the Rio Olympics have said they are satisfied with the demand so far.

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Rio de Janeiro was awarded the hosting rights to the 2016 Olympics in 2009. 

Last year, IOC vice president John Coates called Brazil’s preparations for the games “the worst I’ve experienced,” but Alves said Thursday that construction on the venues was going “OK” and had no concerns.

- Molly Geary