Olympic torch arrives in Sao Paulo

The Olympic Torch has arrived here in Brazil's financial capital, after an 82-day trip around the country before the Rio Games begin on August 5.

The torch was on Sunday taken to Independence Park just before 8 a.m. with a cyclist carrying it down Avenida Paulista avenue, reports Efe.

Tennis player Maria Esther Bueno and archer Marcos Vinicius were among the 260 people who will carry the torch in Sao Paulo.

Security was tight in the wake of calls on social media to put out the flame.

A man was arrested in Guarulhos, a city in Sao Paulo state, when he tried to grab the torch.

The Olympic Torch began its journey in Brazil on May 3, when it arrived from Switzerland.

The torch will reach Rio on August 4, entering Maracana Stadium a day later for the opening ceremony.

The Olympic Torch is scheduled to pass through 300 cities in Brazil's 27 states over 95 days.

--IANS

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