Rio Olympics 2016 Countdown Begins With Torch Lighting in Olympia

The organisers of Rio Olympics hope that the games will divert the attention from the political crises in the country

The official countdown to Rio de Janeiro Olympics 2016 began on Thursday when the torch was lit at the site of the ancient Games in Olympia, with organisers hoping it will shift attention away from Brazil’s political and financial turmoil.

A refugee will also carry the torch during the Greek leg of the relay before Brazilian organisers receive it in a handover at the Panathenian stadium on April 27 in Athens, site of the first modern Olympics in 1896.

Torch to Reach Brazil on 3 May

On a glorious spring day with the sun burning hot above the ancient stadium in Olympia, an actress playing a high priestess lit the torch from the rays of the sun at the temple of Hera, using a parabolic mirror.

Greek gymnastics world champion Lefteris Petrounias started the domestic relay after receiving the flame. Brazilian double Olympic volleyball champion Giovane Gavio was due to be the second runner.

Brazil will start its relay on 3 May in the capital Brasilia with the first of 12,000 runners, carrying it through 300 cities and towns in the 26 Brazilian states and ending in Rio on the day of the opening ceremony.

The torch lighting brings a message that can and will unite our dear Brazil.

Carlos Nuzman, Rio Games Chief

Brazil’s Political Crises Overshadows Rio Olympics

Brazil President Dilma Rousseff, who cancelled her trip to ancient Olympia, is facing impeachment and federal prosecutors are investigating Olympic projects for corruption.

Asked if organisers were concerned about a possible change of government, Nuzman said that he is not a politician but they know what they needed to do, and will do it.

The crisis has paralysed the country’s ability to revive its economy from recession in the midst of a huge corruption scandal involving state-run oil firm Petrobras.

Despite the difficulties that Brazil is facing, the flame is a timeless reminder that we are all part of the same humanity. Rio de Janeiro will showcase the best of the human spirit. In just a few weeks, the Brazilian people will enthusiastically welcome the world and amaze us with their joy of life and their passion for sport.

Thomas Bach, President, International Olympic Committee

Despite Recession, Sports Minister Says Brasil is Ready

Brazil’s interim sports minister, Ricardo Goncalves, said authorities were “very happy, because Brazil is ready” and that the crises would not impact the Games.

The Olympic Park, the venues are ready. Everything was done, so no impact.

Ricardo Goncalves, Sports Minister, Brazil

Preparations for the first Games in South America, which run from 5-21 August, have been plagued by problems and a shortage of cash for organisers as the country is experiencing its worst recession in decades.

Thursday’s ceremony marked the 80-year anniversary since the relay, which did not exist in the ancient Greek Olympics, it was introduced by the Nazi organisers of the 1936 Berlin Games.

Brazil will start telling the world a different story from the one we usually see in the news lately. The story about the celebration of humanity and the joy of life.

Marco Balich, Producer, Olympics Ceremonies 2016