Tom,
I have not seen the site but know the Brazilians and fiqured it would be something like you described at best, just not a lot of prime area near Rio, but as you know exsisting land forms are important but not everything because with a little imagination.......
Sam,
I think that will depend on who pays. If it is the goverment of Brazil, there could be. However, when you have a zillion dollar olympic budget and your going on wolrd stage, do you want to take the risk of creating anything below world class or standards and leave the door open for critics. The only direct Brazilian ties would be Dan Blankenship, he was the shaper for the course in Buzio that PB Dye did more than 10 years ago and could be fifteen. He resides in Brazil now and has done about ten or fifteen courses, one has gotten some regonition and is suppose to be an incredible piece of land. He lived there for a while and did a design build scenario because the land was so strong...some call it the pebble beach of Brazil. My opinion is, he is someone that could be involved and could strengthen a lot of teams but lacks the experience to take the lead role on such a grand stage. But I am not one of the three on the committee!