A sign that the Summer Olympics are approaching: The Olympic torch is lit and beginning the trek around Brazil.
The Games in Rio de Janeiro begin on Aug. 5 and the Olympic flame arrived in Brasilia on Tuesday. President Dilma Rousseff ignited the torch and Tuesday's first leg was run by volleyball player Fabiana Claudino, a two-time gold medalist.
The relay through Brazil will include 12,000 torchbearers and 329 cities. Organizers hope national support for the Games will emerge after a period in which corruption scandals and the Zika virus outbreak have tempered enthusiasm.
"The Olympic torch will be received with joy in all cities in our immense Brazil," Rousseff told reporters. "The flame will illuminate a hospitable and responsible country."
Brazil has promised a safe Olympics despite the recent turmoil that is plaguing the country.
In fact, Rousseff is under intense pressure and the Brazilian senate may move to suspend her for six months during next week's impeachment hearings.
"We know political problems exist in our country today," Rousseff said. "We know there is political instability. Brazil will be capable in a difficult period, a very difficult, critical period in the history of our democracy of dealing with the problems.
"It's important to fight, and we know how to fight."
