Russian athletics, facing one of the biggest doping scandals in sporting history, is suspended from competition and not sure to be reinstated for Rio.
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The impeachment process against President Dilma Rousseff, coupled with the country’s worst recession in decades, have led to fears of apathy among Brazilians towards the Olympics.
The flame, placed in a lantern, was handed over to Greek Olympic Committee president Spyros Kapralos, who, in turn, passed it to Rio Games organising head Carlos Nuzman.
“Brazilians have endured many crises and we have always worked together to overcome our problems, guaranteeing that the country resumes its path toward economic growth and income distribution”, he said.
But despite the insistence of the Brazilian government and International Olympic Committee that everything will be ready, reservations remain. There have been 29 Summer Olympic Games held in 22 different cities and 21 Winter Games held in 18 different cities.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon said Friday he will not remain neutral at the Rio Games, pledging to cheer for a team of refugees as the Olympic flame stopped by the United Nations in Geneva.
The flame will now be carried to Brazil for the second leg of the Olympic Torch relay, ahead of the Rio Games on August 5, when it will enter the Maracana stadium for the official opening ceremony of the 2016 summer Olympic Games.
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ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS APRIL 30-MAY 1 – FILE – In this Tuesday, April 26, 2016 file photo, Syrian refugee Ibrahim Al-Hussein, 27, freestyle swimmer, basketball player and former judo wrestler waits to receive the Olympic flame at the Elaionas camp that is home to about 1,500 refugees and other migrants, in Athens. Organizers say it will reach most of the vast country’s 200 million population, covering 20,000 kilometers (12,000 miles) by road and 16,000 kilometers (10,000 miles) by air to reach hundreds of cities and towns in a giant effort involving 12,000 torchbearers. The organizing committee received the torch amid the ceremony that included dancers representing the diversity of Brazilian and Greek culture, along with about 30,000 viewers in the stadium. The full schedule of events hasn’t been finalized yet, but you can check out information about all sports in the Olympics at the official Rio website.
