Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay features Steam Locomotive and rose petal shower

The Olympic Flame will pass through the historic towns of Sao Joao del Rei and Tiradentes, followed by Barbacena and Juiz de Fora

This Sunday, 15 May, the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch will pass through the historic towns of Sao Joao del Rei and Tiradentes, and then move on to Barbacena and Juiz de Fora. The flame will be taken between Sao Joao del Rei and Tiradentes on board a steam locomotive, the century old train that still links the two towns. The day’s relay covers some 360 km and features over 100 torchbearers.

• Sao Joao del Rei is the first stop for the Olympic Torch this Sunday. The town is 300 years old and features historic mansions, cobblestone streets and bridges, and baroque churches.

• In line with the town’s tradition, the bells will chime when the torch reaches the historic centre, to pay tribute to the Olympic Flame. The relay route passes the churches of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Nossa Senhora do Rosário and Sao Francisco, as well as the Pilar Basilica.

• Traditional coloured sand and sawdust carpets laid on the streets will bear designs relating to the Rio 2016 Games and the symbols of the Olympic Games. The people of Sao Joao will sing. To end the visit of the Olympic Flame, the steam train will hoot as it takes the Olympic Torch on to Tiradentes.

• The train is a vestige of the rail link inaugurated by Emperor Dom Pedro II in 1881, the Western Minas Railway. It was an important transport link for Brazil’s agricultural and industrial produce. The steam train is now one of the region’s tourist attractions and is listed by the National Heritage Agency.

• In Tiradentes, the Olympic Flame will arrive at the railway station. The relay route passes through the historic centre to the Largo das Forras, the town’s main square.

• Known as the town of roses, Barbacena will welcome the torch relay next, starting in Avenida Marechal Floriano Peixoto. The retinue will pass through Globo Square and Andradas Square, in front of the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Piedade, where the well-known Escola Preparatória de Cadetes do Ar (Air Cadets Preparatory School - EPCAR) will put on a show. Rose petals will be released from a helicopter over the square. Students will line the streets to pay tribute to the Olympic Flame. The relay’s final destination in the town is Avenida Governador Bias Fortes.

• Juiz de Fora is the last town to welcome today’s Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay, starting in Lajinha Park. The Olympic Cauldron will be lit at the Terreirão do Samba (Samba Venue) at 7.50 pm, after performances by Alessandra Crispim, Sandra Portela and Ponto do Samba.

• During the relay, at the Mariano Procópio Museum, local players will re-enact the visit of Dom Pedro II to the Engineer’s House in 1861. The engineer was responsible for building the Estrada União e Indústria (Union and Industry Railway) between Juiz de Fora and Petropolis. At the museum, the Olympic Flame will be carried around the artificial lake which will be lit up conventional torches. The local players’ performance will include an extract from the opera "O Trovador", which was also played on the occasion of the imperial visit.

Check out some of the day’s torchbearers--

• André Nascimento is a volleyball player and member of Brazil’s national team, with two world titles (2000 e 2006), a gold medal from the Athens 2004 Olympics and a silver medal from Beijing 2008. André will run with the Olympic Torch in Juiz de Fora.

• Welissa Gonzaga de Souza, or Sassá as she is know, began playing volleyball in her home town, Barbacena. She won the Olympic title at the Beijing 2008 Olympics and has won five Grand Prix gold medals. Sassá will run with the Olympic Torch in Barbacena.

• Jorge Luís Andrade, better known as Andrade, has played for various football teams in Brazil. He was a midfielder alongside the legendary Adílo and Zico in the Flamengo team. He has won many titles, including the 1981 Interclub World Championship, the Libertadores da América also in 1981, five Brazilian national championships as a player and coach, and four Rio State Championships. Andrade will run with the Olympic Torch in Juiz de Fora.

• Raimundo dos Anjos is a general services assistant and president of the Sao Joao del Rei Street Runners Association. He does social work in the town’s needy communities, encouraging youngsters and adults to take up sports. He has run in the Sao Paulo International Marathon and Sao Silvestre International Race. Raimundo will run with the Olympic Torch in Sao Joao del Rei.

• Oriovaldo Resende, 51, works in a state school in Tiradentes. He organises various sports in conjunction with the local community, including volleyball, futsal, handball and basketball. Oriovaldo will run with the Olympic Torch in Tiradentes.

• Cássia Delgado is a trampoline gymnast. At the age of 19, she competed at many international meetings and won the title in 2011, in Argentina. Cássia was invited by the Coca-Cola sponsorship to run with the Olympic Torch in Juiz de Fora.

• Alexandre Ank is a paralympic table tennis player and won gold and bronze medals at the Rio 2007 Parapan American Games. He competed at the Beijing 2008 Olympics and has won various titles throughout his career. Alexandre was invited by the Nissan sponsorship to run with the Olympic Torch in Juiz de Fora.

• Jeferson Viana was the first coach of Olympic judo champion Giovane Gávio. He was invited by the Bradesco sponsorship to run with the Olympic Torch in Juiz de Fora.

Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay

The Olympic Torch Relay bears the message of the forthcoming Games and the beginning of the world’s biggest celebration of the sporting life. By 5 August, the Olympic Flame will have traversed 327 towns and cities in all the states of Brazil and the Federal District. In taking the Olympic Torch on a journey across the entire country, the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee is fulfilling its promise to host the Brazilian Games and give millions of people the opportunity to participate in an unforgettable experience. The Olympic Torch Relay across Brazil is aimed at showing the best of Brazil, including its cultural diversity and natural beauty.

For the latest news on the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay, go to our website and the Rio 2016 Organising Committee’s social network pages at:

www.rio2016.com/tocha-olimpica

www.twitter.com/rio2016

www.facebook.com/rio2016

www.instagram.com/rio2016

www.youtube.com/rio2016

Snapchat: Rio2016

For more information, please contact:

Revezamento da Tocha Olímpica Rio 2016

imprensa.tocha@rio2016.com

(21) 2016-4005

Para Sala de imprensa acesse: imprensa.rio2016.com

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only