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
— Ceyhun Huseynov (cekamaker) April 29, 2016euronews
: Olympic flame handed over to Rio Games officials. #olypics pic.twitter.com/YBVIxD0tW9
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
Go to video
Finger wrestling: Germany crowns champions in Quirky Alpine sport
00:00
Pics of the day: April 18, 2025
01:37
Indigenous and climate activists rally in Brasília ahead of COP30
Go to video
In Abidjan, the sport academy fueling Ivory Coast's football dreams
01:04
Nathan Lyon anticipates fierce bowling battle in WTC final against South Africa
01:09
Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry elected International Olympic Comittee president