(ATR) The Olympic Torch Relay has left Goias and is traveling around the state of Minas Gerais.
The flame will stay in Minas until May 16, and will grace the capital and largest city of the state Belo Horizonte on May 14. According to Rio 2016 as the flame makes its way to Belo Horizonte it will be greeted by natural landscapes of the state and cultural programs that celebrate the musical heritage of Minas.
On May 7 the flame left Goais visiting the towns of Pires do Rio, Ipameri, and Goiandira before entering Minas and visiting Araguari and Uberlandia. On this day the flame was greeted by a helicopter releasing rose petals in Pires do Rio. In addition, musical performances greeted the flame in each town before the Olympic cauldron was lit in Uberlandia. Over 130 torchbearers ran with the Olympic Flame on May 7.
The next day on May 8 over 90 people ran with the torch as it visited Uberaba, Araxá, Serra do Salitre, Patrocínio and Pato de Minas.
Araxá is the start of the "water circuit" of Minas Gerais, where numerous municipalities are linked through lakes, waterfalls, and rivers. The circuit is known to have therapeutic effects for travelers. The torch visited "Christ’s Lookout," a model of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, here.
In Pato de Minas, the torch was given a presentation by wheelchair basketball players. During the relay João Paulo Nascimento, a wheelchair basketball player, fell out of his chair after attempting to do part of the relay on one wheel. The flame was not extinguished and he was able to pass the flame off before being helped back into his chair.
On May 9, the flame visited three towns, Varjão de Minas, Pirapora and Montes Claros. In Varjão de Minas, a town of 6,000, over two-thirds of the city came out to cheer the torch according to Rio 2016.
Luiz Henrique, a national team football player for Brazil, was one of the torch bearers in Pirapora, the town where he was born. To end the day a cauldron was lit in Montes Claros.
On May 10 over 120 people will carry the torch in Bocaiúva, Couto de Magalhães de Minas, Diamantina and Curvelo. This area of Minas Gerais is known to be filled with diamond minds, a testament to the industry where the state gets its name.
After visiting the historical mining spots, the torch will visit the Sentinela waterfalls outside of Diamantia. After visiting historical churches throughout the day, the torch will be greeted by a sports showcase of foot volleyball, skateboarding, rollerblading, cycling, and more in Curvelo. A ceremonial cauldron will be lit at the outdoor gym to end the day’s events.
Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro
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