The Olympic flame has arrived in Brazil’s capital for a 90-day relay around the country before reaching the famous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro for the opening of the Games on August 5.
The flame arrived in Brasilia from Greece, where the Olympic Games originated, via Switzerland aboard a TAM jet that was escorted by two Brazilian Air Force fighters.
Brazilian Olympic Committee President Carlos Arthur Nuzman carried the flame in a lantern as he walked out of the plane.
President Dilma Rousseff ignited the first torch after it was taken to the Planalto presidential palace to begin its relay through more than 300 cities, carried by 12,000 torchbearers, each running 200 meters.
Rousseff, who is facing impeachment, said, "Brazil is ready to host the most successful Olympics in history" despite its "political instability."
The first torchbearer was Fabiana Claudino, who led Brazil to Olympic gold medals in women's volleyball in the 2008 and 2012 games, and is team captain this time.
Brazilian mathematician Artur Avila Cordeiro de Melo ran the second leg.