Back in January we reported on the initial path for the Rio 2016 torch relay, a journey that had plans to cover 12,000 miles and would involve visiting all 26 Brazilian capitals. The torch relay’s route would ensure that the flame would visit 90% of Brazil’s citizens.
The Rio 2016 Organizing Committee has now confirmed the first dates on which the Olympic torch’s route will begin. In a press conference held at Barra Olympic Park earlier this week, President of the Committee, Carlos Nuzman, announced that the torch will be lit in the Greek city of Olympia on April 21st of next year.
The torch will travel through Greece before being passed to Brazilian organizers on April 27th, with the torch relay officially beginning on Brazilian soil on May 3rd. The relay is expected to cover 95 days, finishing up at the Maracana Stadium on August 5th, where the lighting of the cauldron will take place during the Opening Ceremonies.
There is an estimated 12,000 persons who will be torchbearers during the journey, with each carrying the flame for roughly 200 meters before handing it off to the next runner. The relay plans call for 20,000km of road to be covered, with 10,000 miles covered by air, all with the task of carrying the flame without it being extinguished.
The details of the actual torch design itself can be seen on our report here.