Blair: Olympic Games could help transform Brazil

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair says the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics can help Brazil to resolve its economic and social problems if the government handles them well.

Blair was a key player in London's winning bid for the 2012 Olympics. He says there are several examples of cities and nations that have taken advantage of the Games in this way, notably Beijing, Seoul and Barcelona.

But Blair also told an audience at the World Economic Forum's Latin America meeting in Rio de Janeiro that there are examples of cities that were hurt by poor planning of the event.

Rio largely won its Olympic bid by pitching the Games as a chance to vastly improve the city's socioeconomic situation.