21.04.2016
The torch for the 31st Olympic Games to be held during 5-21 August in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil was lit by Greek actress Katerina Lehou in Olympia in Greece with a traditional ceremony and handed to Greek gymnast Eleftherios Petrounias. The 25-year-old world gymnast champion then passed the flame to Brazil’s double volleyball champion Giovane Gávio.
The ceremony was attended International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) President Spyros Kapralos and Rio 2016 Organization Committee President Carlos Arthur Nuzman. IOC President Thomas Bach said, “Rio de Janeiro with the support of all Brazilians will provide a spectacular stage to showcase the best of the human spirit. In just a few weeks, the Brazilian people will enthusiastically welcome the world and they will amaze us with their joy of life and great passion for sport.”
During the 20 thousand kilometre journey of the Olympic flame, the torch will be carried out by 12 thousand torchbearers. The torch will be delivered to the Rio 2016 Organization Committee during the ceremony to be held on April 27th at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896 and later visit UN (United Nations) office and The Olympic Museum in Geneva, Switzerland on 29 April. The flame will reach Brazil on May 3rd and visit Brazil’s 329 towns and cities. The journey will be completed on August 5th in Rio de Janeiro, where the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games will be held.