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Photos: The Olympic torch’s incredible three-month journey across Brazil

Resident Maria da Gloria in Itamaraju, Brazil on May 19, 2016.
Resident Maria da Gloria in Itamaraju, Brazil on May 19, 2016.
Image: Marcos de Paula/Courtesy of Rio2016/Handout via Reuters
By
Johnny Simon
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The Olympic torch has travelled by plane, boat, horseback and surf board to make it to the 2016 Olympics opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro this Friday, Aug. 4. After being lit in April at a ceremony in Greece that should make any classics major giddy with delight, the torch was flown to Brazil. The subsequent relay has covered over 30,000 kilometers (more than 18,600 miles) across every Brazilian state.

But the torch’s path has not been entirely peaceful as protests and other events underscore enduring issues around the Olympics.

Greek actress Katerina Lehou, playing the role of high priestess, lights a torch from the sun’s rays reflected in a parabolic mirror during a flame lighting ceremony at the site of ancient Olympia in Greece. April 21.
Greek actress Katerina Lehou, playing the role of high priestess, lights a torch from the sun’s rays reflected in a parabolic mirror during a flame lighting ceremony at the site of ancient Olympia in Greece. April 21.
Image: Reuters/Yannis Behrakis
Rio’s Olympic chief Carlos Nuzman (R) holds an Olympic torch during the handover ceremony in Athens. April 27.
Rio’s Olympic chief Carlos Nuzman (R) holds an Olympic torch during the handover ceremony in Athens. April 27.
Image: Reuters/Alkis Konstantinidis
Embattled Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff waves after lighting a cauldron with the Olympic Flame next to Fabiana Claudino, captain of the Brazilian volleyball team, in Brasilia. May 3.
Embattled Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff waves after lighting a cauldron with the Olympic Flame next to Fabiana Claudino, captain of the Brazilian volleyball team, in Brasilia. May 3.
Image: Reuters/Ueslei Marcelino
Brazil’s Jose Batista holds the torch aloft on horseback in Brasilia. May 3.
Brazil’s Jose Batista holds the torch aloft on horseback in Brasilia. May 3.
Image: Reuters/Ueslei Marcelino
Canoeist Rubens Pompeu at Paranoa lake in Brasilia. May 3.
Canoeist Rubens Pompeu at Paranoa lake in Brasilia. May 3.
Image: Reuters/Adriano Machado
Itaguari Braz from the Pataxo tribe takes part in the relay in Porto Seguro. May 19.
Itaguari Braz from the Pataxo tribe takes part in the relay in Porto Seguro. May 19.
Image: Marcos de Paula/Courtesy of Rio2016/Handout via Reuters
Local resident Geovana Teles holds the torch at Lustre cave in Chapada Diamantina. May 23.
Local resident Geovana Teles holds the torch at Lustre cave in Chapada Diamantina. May 23.
Image: Andre Mourao/Courtesy of Rio2016/Handout via Reuters
Brazilian surfer Carlos Burle holds the flame out of the water in Ipojuca. June 1.
Brazilian surfer Carlos Burle holds the flame out of the water in Ipojuca. June 1.
Image: Marcos de Paula/Courtesy of Rio2016/Handout via Reuters

 

 

Davi Souza multitasks, holding the torch while feeding a pink river dolphin in Iranduba, Amazonas. June 20.
Davi Souza multitasks, holding the torch while feeding a pink river dolphin in Iranduba, Amazonas. June 20.
Image: Fernando Soutello/Courtesy of Rio2016/Handout via Reuters
Aniceto Gonalves Ferreira carries the torch through Sao Miguel das Missoes, Rio Grande do Sul. July 4.
Aniceto Gonalves Ferreira carries the torch through Sao Miguel das Missoes, Rio Grande do Sul. July 4.
Image: Andre Luiz Mello/Courtesy of Rio2016/Handout via Reuters

 

This is actually a mock Olympic torch, symbolically held among people rappelling from a bridge to form the Olympic rings in Sao Paulo. July 31.
This is actually a mock Olympic torch, symbolically held among people rappelling from a bridge to form the Olympic rings in Sao Paulo. July 31.
Image: Reuters/Paulo Whitaker
Street sweeper Renato Sorriso carries the Olympic torch in Rio on Aug. 3.
Street sweeper Renato Sorriso carries the Olympic torch in Rio on Aug. 3.
Image: Ricardo Cassiano/Rio City Hall/Handout via Reuters
Surfer Rico de Souza holds the Olympic torch from his board on Macumba beach in Rio. Aug. 4.
Surfer Rico de Souza holds the Olympic torch from his board on Macumba beach in Rio. Aug. 4.
Image: Reuters/Pilar Olivares
De Souza triumphant, back on dry land with the torch today, Aug. 4.
De Souza triumphant, back on dry land with the torch today, Aug. 4.
Image: Reuters/Pilar Olivares

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