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Rio organizing committee chief pledges to ‘deliver history’ Flame for Rio Olympics is lit at birthplace of ancient Games
(35 minutes later)
ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece — The chief organizer of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics says the games will help unite the troubled host country, and is promising to “deliver history.’” ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece — The Olympic flame has been kindled at the birthplace of the ancient games in Greece, heralding the start of a 15-week journey leading to the Aug. 5 opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro.
Carlos Nuzman says Brazil has so far sailed “through some of the most challenging waters the Olympic movement has seen.” IOC and Rio organizing committee leaders attended Thursday’s flame-lighting at Ancient Olympia, where antiquity’s greatest sporting event was held for over 1,000 years.
Brazil is going through an acute political crisis and deep economic recession. They voiced confidence Brazil will overcome its political and economic problems to stage successful games, the first in South America.
Speaking during Thursday’s flame-lighting ceremony for the Rio Games in Ancient Olympia, southern Greece, Nuzman added that the first Olympics in South America bring a message “that can and will unite” Brazil. The flame was lit by an actress impersonating a pagan high priestess and will be delivered to the first torchbearer, Greek world gymnastics champion Eleftherios Petrounias. It will traverse Greece for six days, until the April 27 handover to Brazilian officials in Athens.
Once the flame is lit, in the ruined birthplace of the ancient games, it will start on its 15-week journey that will culminate at the Aug. 5 opening ceremony in Rio’s Maracana Stadium. After a brief stopover in Switzerland, the flame will start its travels through Brazil on May 3.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.