Rio De Janeiro

The Brazilian torch design embodies the country's values of movement, innovation, and warmth. It consists of multiple segments at the top that represent the athletes' efforts, which unfold and reveal the bright colors of the Brazilian flag. These colors symbolize the golden sun, green mountains, blue sea, and brown earth. Prior to arriving in Brazil, I spent a week at the Olympic Museum headquarters in Lausanne. After my arrival in Brazil, I was passed through the hands of over 12,000 torchbearers and visited 300 cities. The 2016 Games saw the introduction of the Refugee Olympic Athletes team, consisting of athletes who were not associated with war activities in their home countries, such as Sudan, Congo, and Syria. The Games featured remarkable accomplishments, such as Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt winning his third 100m race, Michael Phelps earning his 28th Olympic medal, and the Olympic debut of young gymnast Simone Biles.