The flame represents a “beacon of solidarity with all the people of the world”, said Ban Ki-moon at a ceremony to mark the event.
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At least four athletes have been sickened sailing through waters tainted with sewage, which may lead to a venue change for sailing events ahead of Rio’s 2016 Olympics. “Their fellow refugees will see outstanding contenders who give hope to all”.
“Win or lose, they are champions of the spirit”, he added. “I will be cheering for them”. The torch was carried by Syrian refugee Ibrahim Al-Hussein.
The flame traveled later on Friday by boat to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, home of the IOC.
The Rio Olympics, which will kick off in 100 days, expects more Chinese firms to invest and sponsor amid political and economic troubles in Brazil.
The Zika virus can be spread by mosquitoes, but according to the Centre for Disease Control, most people infected with it “won’t even know they have the disease because they won’t have symptoms”.
Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Rio 2016 organising committee chairman Carlos Nuzman attended the handing over of the Olympic flame in Athens. “It is a signal of how much we anticipate finally coming to Brazil and being welcome by the warmth and hospitality of the Brazilian people”. Brazil’s human rights record came under fire Wednesday with a demand by Amnesty International for action over rising police killings, particularly in Rio’s favela shanty towns. “We will host our visitors with grace and charm”.
“There is not a second to lose”, Nuzman said. Buildings around the world lit up in special colors – Brazilian yellow and green at Tokyo’s municipal government headquarters and U.S. red-white-blue for the Empire State Building in NY.
“What better place than the United Nations to share this universal message of our shared humanity and peace”, Bach asked when presenting the Cup. The former top-ranked player was given the honor for the 2012 London Olympics but missed the Games because of an injury and was replaced by National Basketball Association star Pau Gasol.
President Dilma Rousseff appears likely to be suspended from office through impeachment in the next few weeks.
The flame will light the cauldron at the Maracana Stadium during the opening ceremony.
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Gleave will issue updates again in June, July and August, just days before the August 5 opening.
