The news, widely expected, sets up an intriguing head-to-head at the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Session on October 2 between Lula and United States President Barack Obama, who many are predicting will travel to the Danish capital to show his support for the bid for his hometown Chicago, who are the favourites.

 

 

But Rio are considered to be strong contenders thanks to the amount of effort Lula has invested in its bid.

 

The 63-year-old former trade union leader has increasingly become the face of the bid, drumming up support around the world as he tries to persuade the IOC to award the Games to South America for the first time in the organisation's 115-year history.

 

He has used meetings with both British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy to lobby for Rio to follow London 2012 and host the Olympics.

 

Lula's attendance was confirmed by Sergio Cabral, the Governor of Rio state, during a visit here, where a large Brazilian team are lobbying IOC members attending the World Athletics Championships, which open tomorrow.

 

Officials are hoping that Lula will have the same positive effect as British Prime Minister Tony Blair did when he travelled to Singapore for the IOC Session in 2005 and helped persuade people to vote to award the 2012 Olympics to London and that of then Russian President Vladimir Putin did in Guatemala in 2007 when he was part of the Sochi team awarded the 2014 Winter Games.

 

Cabral said: "We are pleased to announce that President Lula has confirmed his appearance in Copenhagen.

 

"This is a demonstration of his total commitment and that the Government are behind the Rio bid.

 

"He's our leader in Brazil, of our campaign."

 

This is Rio's fifth attempt to host the Olympics but they have failed to make even the shortlist the last two occasions they have bid for the 2004 and 2012 Games.

 

They are now being openly talked of with Olympic circles as possible winners.

 

Their presentation to 93 IOC members in Lausanne in June was widely praised and shortened their odds against Chicago.

 

Carlos Nuzman, the President of Rio 2016, said: "It is important recognition that our presentation in Lausanne was the best because it gives us fresh enthusiasm."

 

Rio are also expected to include Pele in their bid team for Copenhagen while Chicago are hoping that, as well as Obama, their delegation will include former Bulls basketball legend Michael Jordan, a two-time Olympic gold medallist.

 

Nuzman said: "We will keep the same feeling and energy for our presentation [as we did in Lausanne].

 

"But we will bring some surprises - just don't ask what they are."