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Brazil President Silva helps launch 2014 WCup logo
Brazil must learn from South Africa in order to host its own successful World Cup in four years, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Thursday.
``The success of our African brothers represents a tremendous challenge to the Brazilian people,'' Silva said at a ceremony to unveil its official tournament logo.
``We are learning from them to ensure that the 2014 World Cup will be an event that is even better than this one.''
Silva spoke at a colorful and musical show attended by World Cup-winning greats Carlos Alberto, Cafu and Romario, and coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who led the national team to the fourth of its five titles in 1994.
It was staged at a convention center in a high-end Johannesburg suburb, just a few miles (kilometers) from the Soccer City stadium where the final match of South Africa's tournament is played on Sunday between Spain and the Netherlands.
Silva said Brazil had a ``tremendous responsibility on our shoulders'' to match South Africa's achievement of hosting the first World Cup on the African continent.
The World Cup has not been played on South American soil since the 1978 edition in Argentina, and not in Brazil since 1950.
``We are confident. Brazilians love a challenge,'' Silva said. ``You can rest assured that we will present a World Cup as beautiful as 2010.''
Brazil then presented the emblem that will identify world sport's biggest event for the next four years.
The logo is a representation of the iconic World Cup trophy created by three linked hands in Brazil's national colors of yellow and green.
The winning design, named ``Inspiration,'' was chosen from among 25 entries submitted to a judging panel that included noted Brazilians Paulo Coelho, the author, and supermodel Gisele Bundchen.
The hour-long spectacle, broadcast live on Brazilian television, featured appearances by Grammy award-winning singer Vanessa da Mata and music groups Barbatuques and Bossa Cuca Nova.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter described football as a religion in Brazil, and praised it for identifying with the game ``like no other country.''
Silva thanked Blatter for bringing back the World Cup finals and offered his personal backing beyond his second and final term as state president which ends in December.
``You can always count on my support for all that you need in order that we provide the planet with the best World Cup,'' Silva said.
``I am sure Brazilians will be capable of that.''
