Olympic Torch Lights Up Crowds at Ipanema

The last couple of days included my migration from Hotel Vermont to my AirBNB apartment around the corner from the Ipanema Metro station. 

I sort of hit my first "Olympic wall" of this Games on Wednesday afternoon, and trekking several blocks with 40 pounds of pins and all my luggage was no cake walk. 

But the apartment is beautiful, overlooking a favela neighborhood and sheer cliff surrounded by mountain forest. And I'm now just three blocks to USA House and steps away from grocery, transport, bars, restaurants and anything else needed.

While settling in last night the Olympic Torch Relay dashed through the neighborhood right outside, and it was awesome to see my eighth encounter with an Olympic flame.

Previously LA84 in Edmond, Okla., carrying the torch in 1996 in Oklahoma City, and glimpses of the relay for Salt Lake 2002, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014. 

The neighborhood was buzzing with fans and a crowd about three people deep on each sidewalk. Here's a video with the warm-up group getting folks pumped up.

I love the faces of the senior couple lighting up in anticipation of the relay. The students and local bar and shop owners also were out in force. A great time was had by all. 

Photos by Nicholas Wolaver

Rio 2016 Ready To Flick Your Bic

Feast your eyes on the 2016 Olympic torch!

With just 399 days until the Rio 2016 Olympic Opening Ceremonies, today the organizing committee unveiled the Olympic torch design at a press event in Brasilia.

The new torch is sleek, coated with scale-like satin-finished triangles, and expands when about to be kissed by the Olympic flame.

According to media materials, the expanding sections reveal tiny curved canyons of tropical colors resembling or representing Brazil's topography, rivers and coastline, and the iconic sidewalk pavers of Copacabana Beach. National newspaper O Globo featured a video from the announcement.

The official Olympic Torch Relay website provides a 360-degree view of the design. An interactive map details a 90 to 100 day domestic relay route starting in the nation's capital and moving through every Brazilian state.

Relay sponsors will share details of the torchbearer selection process at a later date to be announced.

For this blogger, Rio's Olympic torch is classy while innovative -- this is the first Olympic torch to expand when tickled by a relay runner's grip.

For safety, just the tip will disperse the fuel within for a hot Olympic flame cheered by millions of fans on the road to Rio.

Images via Rio 2016