The Olympic flame for the Rio de Janeiro Games has come to the United Nations office in Geneva, where officials say a team of refugee athletes will bring a message of hope for refugees around the world.
The flame, which was lit in Greece last week, was brought to the U.N. for the first time before it heads to Brazil for the torch relay ahead of the opening ceremony in Rio on Aug. 5.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the flame is a "beacon of solidarity with all peoples of the world.''
He hailed the decision of the International Olympic Committee to create a team of refugee athletes who will compete in Rio under the Olympic flag.
IOC President Thomas Bach adds: "We want to send a message of hope to all refugees in our world that they are not forgotten.''
Rio Olympic Flame Visits UN Office in Geneva
GENEVA —
