On its way to Recife, the relay will call in on Gravata and Jaboatao dos Guararapes
(Rio-2016 Official Press)This Tuesday, 31 May, some 215 torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame through the streets of Gravata, Jaboatao dos Guararapes and the capital of Pernambuco, Recife. In all a distance of 200 km will be covered, including transits. The day will end in the heart of historic Recife, and the Olympic Cauldron will be lit in Rio Branco Square, known as Marco Zero(Ground Zero).
· The relay through Gravata will pass the Estação do Artesão (Artisan’s Station), the Town Hall, the Gravata Cultural Memorial, the Mother Church (Arão Lins Square) and theParque da Cidade (Town Park).
· Pupils from state, municipal and private schools will get the day off, even in neighbouring towns, so that they can celebrate the Olympic Torch Relay’s historic visit. The winner of the poetry and cordel contest chosen by the Academia Gravataense de Letras(Gravata Academy of Letters) will read their entry at the commemorative ceremony. Entertainment will be provided by musicians from municipal schools, military bands, capoeiragroups and local singers.
· In Jaboatao dos Guararapes, the celebration of the Olympic Flame is scheduled to take place in front of the Igreja da Piedade (Church of Mercy). The local authorities have organised a series of artistic attractions, including performances by Mamulengo Jurubeba,Grupo Força da Capoeira, Academia Jaboatonense de Artes Geração X, Grupo A.R.R.E.TE (hip hop) and the Valdeck Farias Dance Company.
· In Recife, the relay route will pass through the historic city centre. The Olympic Cauldron will be lit at Marco Zero (Ground Zero), with music from the samba group Patuscoafter the ceremony.
Check out some of the day’s torchbearers:
Alessandro Beti Rosa – Magrão
Goalkeeper Magrão is one of the truly legendary figures of Sport Club Recife. He is sometimes referred to as “the machine” or the “miracle maker” because of his spectacular, impossible saves. He is a leader both on and off the pitch, behaves impeccably and is highly respected by team mates and opponents. Magrão was invited to carry the Olympic Torch in Recife by the Coca-Cola sponsorship.
Fabiana Karla Simões Barbosa
Fabiana is an actor and comedian, born in Recife where she will carry the torch. She has acted in dramatic and comedy roles in theatres, on television and in films. Fabiana was invited to carry the Olympic Torch by the Coca-Cola sponsorship.
Romero Britto
Romero Britto is a modern pop culture icon and one of the most respected artist in celebrity circles. He has produced paintings for Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bill Clinton, Prince William and Kate Middleton, as well as president Dilma Rousseff. He began his career at 18 in Pernambuco and currently lives in Miami. In 2005, he was appointed Arts’ Ambassador for the State of Florida. Romero was invited by the Coca-Cola sponsorship to carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Antônio Nascimento
Born in the sugarcane region of Pernambuco, Antônio’s childhood was spent spreading fertilizer and cutting cane. He managed to complete his primary schooling at the age of 22 and became a Military Police Officer in Pernambuco. He went on to fulfil his dream of graduating in law, and passed the examination to become the Police Commissioner of Pernambuco. Today, he continues his academic studies and has graduated in teaching, theology and the psychology of teaching. Antônio was invited by the Nissan sponsorship to carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Caio Guimarães
At 24 years of age Caio Guimarães, son of Big Brother Brazil celebrity Mariza, was voted one of the 30 most influential young people under 30. This was the outcome of research that, as a student of Pernambuco University Engineering School, he conducted in partnership with the Wellman Center, linked to the United States’ Universities of Harvard and Massachusetts. His work resulted in the development of a blue light that eliminates bacterial infections without the use of antibiotics and without damaging the organism. Caio was invited by the Nissan sponsorship to carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Petronio de Araújo Pereira
A native of Recife and 91 years of age, Petronio still loves sports. He was a rower for Clube Náutico Capibaribe do Recife and played amateur volleyball. Petronio was invited by the Nissan sponsorship to carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
André Felippe Falbo Ferreira – Pampa
Pampa was a member of Brazil’s volleyball team that won the gold medal at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. He also won the team silver at the Havana 1991 Pan American Games, and the 1993 World Volleyball League gold medal. He competed in the Seoul 1988 Games, where the team came fourth. Pampa was invited by the Bradesco sponsorship to carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Rhayann Lucas Vasconcelos Damaceno
Rhayann decided to bring about radical change where he lived. In the district of San Martin, Recife, he invited teachers, instructors and other colleagues to give classes in the district square. In addition to promoting education at home, he created a tool enabling residents to identify problems and point them out so that solutions could be found. Rhayann was invited by the Bradesco sponsorship to run with the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Roseane Ferreira dos Santos – Rosinha
Born in Recife, athlete Roseane Ferreira da Silva, better known as Rosinha, saw her life change in 1990 after she lost her left leg in a road accident. She began working as a maid. In 1997, she bumped into her former coach, Francisco Raimundo Matias, and joined the Paralympic Movement. At the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, she won the gold medal and broke the world record in the shot put and discus events. She also overcame throat cancer, and wants to retire from the track after Rio 2016. Rosinha was invited by the Bradesco sponsorship to carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Adriana Moisés – Adrianinha
One of the leading point guards in Brazilian women’s basketball, Adrianinha has competed at four Olympic Games. She made her debut for Brazil at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics. She won team bronze at the Sidney 2000 Games, came fourth in Athens 2004, and 11th in Beijing 2008. She also won a bronze at the Rio 2007 Pan American Games and bronze at the Santo Domingo 2003 Pan American Games. Adrianinha will run with the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Breno Viola
Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Breno Viola was the first judoka with Down syndrome in the Americas to earn a black belt. He has won two world titles in his class, becoming an international reference for Down syndrome sporting talent. In 2013, he acted in the first ever Brazilian film starring actors with Down, entitled “Colegas” (Buddies). On TV, Breno co-presented the “Qual a diferença” (What’s the Difference) segment of the programmeFantástico, with doctor Dráuzio Varella. Breno will run with the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Bruna Martinelli Cesário de Mello
Bruna is one of the top windsurfers in Northeastern Brazil. Born in Pernambuco, she was corfirmed by the Brazilian Sailing Confederation as the reserve for Rio de Janeiro’s Patrícia Freitas for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the RS:X class. Bruna will run with the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Carolline Cristine Gomes Barbosa
At only 17 years of age, Carolline from Jaboatao dos Guararapes has won state, regional, national and international swimming titles. Carolline is a physiotherapy student has also won various medals. In 2015, among other titles, she was Pacific South American runner-up, Brazilian University runner-up and Pernambucana Absoluto champion (voted best athlete in the state). Carolline will run with the Olympic Torch in Jaboatao dos Guararapes.
Geraldo Bernardes
Geraldo was Brazil’s judo technician at the Seoul, Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney Olympics, and helped Aurélio Miguel, Rogério Sampaio and Flávio Canto win medals. Since 2000, he has been active in communities like Cidade de Deus, where he discovered world champion Rafaela Silva, thanks to the Judô Comunitário Geraldo Bernardes organisation. He is also a member of Instituto Reação. Geraldo will carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
João Reinaldo Costa Lima Neto – Nikita
Better known as Nikita, João Reinaldo, 66, is a successful coach and talent scout, responsible for discovering and consolidating national and international athletes, including Adriana Salazar, Joanna Maranhão and Etiene Medeiros. Nikita won the bronze medal at the Winnipeg 1967 Pan American Games and competed at the Mexico 1968 Olympic Games. Nikita will carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
José Ailton Vieira – Mestre Muriçoca
As a master of capoeira, Mestre Muriçoca has been involved in social projects centred oncapoeira for over 30 years, working with social institutions, and municipal schools in and around Gravata. He is the only capoeira master to have developed capoeira for senior citizens in the state of Pernambuco. Mestre Muriçoca will carry the Olympic Torch in Gravata.
Suely Rodrigues Guimarães
Suely is a discus throwing para-athlete and has competed at five Paralympic Games, winning three medals. She first competed at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympics, at the age of 35, and won the gold medal. In the Atlanta 1996 Games she took the bronze medal and won her second gold at the Athens 2004 Paralympics. Suely retired from competition at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics, at 51. She will carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Tiago Agostino de Lira
Tiago is a physical education teacher and has participated in social projects since he was a child, collecting food donations, giving blood and cleaning up the streets and squares. He was a volunteer helper at the 2014 World Cup and will carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Yane Marques
A native of Pernambuco, Yane Marques, 31, won a historic bronze medal in the pentathlon at the London 2012 Games. The pentathlon combines swimming, fencing, equestrian, and a run & shoot event. Born in the municipality of Afogados da Ingazeira, Yane began as a swimmer in the Clube Náutico do Recife. Some time later, she discovered her true vocation for the pentathlon. Yane will run with the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Romero Britto is a modern pop culture icon and one of the most respected artist in celebrity circles. He has produced paintings for Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bill Clinton, Prince William and Kate Middleton, as well as president Dilma Rousseff. He began his career at 18 in Pernambuco and currently lives in Miami. In 2005, he was appointed Arts’ Ambassador for the State of Florida. Romero was invited by the Coca-Cola sponsorship to carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Antônio Nascimento
Born in the sugarcane region of Pernambuco, Antônio’s childhood was spent spreading fertilizer and cutting cane. He managed to complete his primary schooling at the age of 22 and became a Military Police Officer in Pernambuco. He went on to fulfil his dream of graduating in law, and passed the examination to become the Police Commissioner of Pernambuco. Today, he continues his academic studies and has graduated in teaching, theology and the psychology of teaching. Antônio was invited by the Nissan sponsorship to carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Caio Guimarães
At 24 years of age Caio Guimarães, son of Big Brother Brazil celebrity Mariza, was voted one of the 30 most influential young people under 30. This was the outcome of research that, as a student of Pernambuco University Engineering School, he conducted in partnership with the Wellman Center, linked to the United States’ Universities of Harvard and Massachusetts. His work resulted in the development of a blue light that eliminates bacterial infections without the use of antibiotics and without damaging the organism. Caio was invited by the Nissan sponsorship to carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Petronio de Araújo Pereira
A native of Recife and 91 years of age, Petronio still loves sports. He was a rower for Clube Náutico Capibaribe do Recife and played amateur volleyball. Petronio was invited by the Nissan sponsorship to carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
André Felippe Falbo Ferreira – Pampa
Pampa was a member of Brazil’s volleyball team that won the gold medal at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. He also won the team silver at the Havana 1991 Pan American Games, and the 1993 World Volleyball League gold medal. He competed in the Seoul 1988 Games, where the team came fourth. Pampa was invited by the Bradesco sponsorship to carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Rhayann Lucas Vasconcelos Damaceno
Rhayann decided to bring about radical change where he lived. In the district of San Martin, Recife, he invited teachers, instructors and other colleagues to give classes in the district square. In addition to promoting education at home, he created a tool enabling residents to identify problems and point them out so that solutions could be found. Rhayann was invited by the Bradesco sponsorship to run with the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Roseane Ferreira dos Santos – Rosinha
Born in Recife, athlete Roseane Ferreira da Silva, better known as Rosinha, saw her life change in 1990 after she lost her left leg in a road accident. She began working as a maid. In 1997, she bumped into her former coach, Francisco Raimundo Matias, and joined the Paralympic Movement. At the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, she won the gold medal and broke the world record in the shot put and discus events. She also overcame throat cancer, and wants to retire from the track after Rio 2016. Rosinha was invited by the Bradesco sponsorship to carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Adriana Moisés – Adrianinha
One of the leading point guards in Brazilian women’s basketball, Adrianinha has competed at four Olympic Games. She made her debut for Brazil at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics. She won team bronze at the Sidney 2000 Games, came fourth in Athens 2004, and 11th in Beijing 2008. She also won a bronze at the Rio 2007 Pan American Games and bronze at the Santo Domingo 2003 Pan American Games. Adrianinha will run with the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Breno Viola
Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Breno Viola was the first judoka with Down syndrome in the Americas to earn a black belt. He has won two world titles in his class, becoming an international reference for Down syndrome sporting talent. In 2013, he acted in the first ever Brazilian film starring actors with Down, entitled “Colegas” (Buddies). On TV, Breno co-presented the “Qual a diferença” (What’s the Difference) segment of the programmeFantástico, with doctor Dráuzio Varella. Breno will run with the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Bruna Martinelli Cesário de Mello
Bruna is one of the top windsurfers in Northeastern Brazil. Born in Pernambuco, she was corfirmed by the Brazilian Sailing Confederation as the reserve for Rio de Janeiro’s Patrícia Freitas for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the RS:X class. Bruna will run with the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Carolline Cristine Gomes Barbosa
At only 17 years of age, Carolline from Jaboatao dos Guararapes has won state, regional, national and international swimming titles. Carolline is a physiotherapy student has also won various medals. In 2015, among other titles, she was Pacific South American runner-up, Brazilian University runner-up and Pernambucana Absoluto champion (voted best athlete in the state). Carolline will run with the Olympic Torch in Jaboatao dos Guararapes.
Geraldo Bernardes
Geraldo was Brazil’s judo technician at the Seoul, Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney Olympics, and helped Aurélio Miguel, Rogério Sampaio and Flávio Canto win medals. Since 2000, he has been active in communities like Cidade de Deus, where he discovered world champion Rafaela Silva, thanks to the Judô Comunitário Geraldo Bernardes organisation. He is also a member of Instituto Reação. Geraldo will carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
João Reinaldo Costa Lima Neto – Nikita
Better known as Nikita, João Reinaldo, 66, is a successful coach and talent scout, responsible for discovering and consolidating national and international athletes, including Adriana Salazar, Joanna Maranhão and Etiene Medeiros. Nikita won the bronze medal at the Winnipeg 1967 Pan American Games and competed at the Mexico 1968 Olympic Games. Nikita will carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
José Ailton Vieira – Mestre Muriçoca
As a master of capoeira, Mestre Muriçoca has been involved in social projects centred oncapoeira for over 30 years, working with social institutions, and municipal schools in and around Gravata. He is the only capoeira master to have developed capoeira for senior citizens in the state of Pernambuco. Mestre Muriçoca will carry the Olympic Torch in Gravata.
Suely Rodrigues Guimarães
Suely is a discus throwing para-athlete and has competed at five Paralympic Games, winning three medals. She first competed at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympics, at the age of 35, and won the gold medal. In the Atlanta 1996 Games she took the bronze medal and won her second gold at the Athens 2004 Paralympics. Suely retired from competition at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics, at 51. She will carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Tiago Agostino de Lira
Tiago is a physical education teacher and has participated in social projects since he was a child, collecting food donations, giving blood and cleaning up the streets and squares. He was a volunteer helper at the 2014 World Cup and will carry the Olympic Torch in Recife.
Yane Marques
A native of Pernambuco, Yane Marques, 31, won a historic bronze medal in the pentathlon at the London 2012 Games. The pentathlon combines swimming, fencing, equestrian, and a run & shoot event. Born in the municipality of Afogados da Ingazeira, Yane began as a swimmer in the Clube Náutico do Recife. Some time later, she discovered her true vocation for the pentathlon. Yane will run with the Olympic Torch in Recife.