After an epic journey that began in Brasília on 3 May, the Olympic torch completed its last rounds in Rio de Janeiro on Friday (5 August). The symbol of the Games has travelled 26,000km through 325 towns and cities across Brazil. It has been carried by about 12,500 people from the northern tropics, to the dry, rugged interior and the rolling hills in the south of the country.

The torch began the day with a blessing from Cardinal Dom Orani Tempesta under cloudless skies at the foot of Christ the Redeemer. The cardinal read the Pope's message of goodwill for the Olympic Games.

Next stop was the glamour of Ipanema beach, where the Olympic torch found itself in equally glamorous hands as Victoria's Secret model Izabel Goulart ran her ‘best ever catwalk’.

"I'm very emotional, I can't even speak," she said. "I just carried the torch. Peace and love to the world."

Australian pop singer Cody Simpson also carried the flame in Ipanema, along with his sister Alli...

Still at the beach, the torch was passed into the hands of Carlos Nuzman, the Rio 2016 president, Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, and the secretary general of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon.

Continuing on to the neighbourhoods of Urca and Botafogo, the torch took a trip up to Pão de Açucar (Sugarloaf Mountain)  atop of a cable car, a la James Bond villain Jaws – carried by celebrated landmark’s technical director, Diego Scofano.

In Botafogo, the torch was held aloft by popular pagode singer Diogo Nogueira, ex-Botafogo football star Túlio Maravilha, Rio’s principal ballet dancer Ana Botafogo and celebrated artist Rosa Magalhães.

The flame's journey will end at the Maracanã Stadium, when it is used to light the torch.

What to expect from the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games