Olympic torch begins trip around Brazil

The Olympic torch relay for the Rio Games began on Tuesday in the country’s capital Brasilia.

President, Dilma Rousseff, who may face impeachment before the start of the Games was present at the ceremony and helped light the torch to start it’s a 95-day tour of the first South American country to host the Olympics.

Seen on euronews: Olympic flame handed over to Rio Games officials. #olypics pic.twitter.com/YBVIxD0tW9

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After lighting the torch Rousseff handed it over to gold medal-winning volleyball player, Fabiana Claudino, who had the honour of being the first torch bearer on Brazilian soil.

Having completed a six-day relay across the home of the ancient Olympics – Greece – the flame stopped over in Switzerland before arriving in Brazil.

The torch will be raised by some 12,000 people and travel through 335 cities, crossing around 20,000 kilometres of Brazilian territory before it ignites the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony which takes place on August 5.

Euronews