-
Popular Brazilian singer Toni Garrido got his hands on the Olympic Torch in Fortaleza. "What the Torch does more than anything is bring people together," he said.
-
Adriana Behar and Shelda Bedê formed one of beach volleyball's most successful pairings. The duo won silver medals at both Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. The Olympic Torch Relay brought the two together again in Fortaleza today.
-
"Look at her" crowds shouted as ex-Big Brother Brasil contestant Ana Renault carried the Olympic torch. The journalist, who had become well known for this phrase during her time on the show, had different words today: "Let's support our athletes!"
-
Carlos Alberto Maciel, 39, is currently among the three best Paralympic swimmers in the Americas. In strong contention to compete at Rio 2016, today he opened the Olympic torch relay. "I hope all Brazilians can cheer on our warriors."
-
Against domestic violence
Maria da Penha Maia Fernandes, an icon in the fight against domestic violence in Brazil, will be the last torchbearer in Fortaleza, the state of capital of Ceará, on Tuesday (7 June).
Maria da Penha, 70, inspired the creation of law 11.340/06, which is named after her, after campaigning for 19 years to have her attacker, her ex-husband, convicted for trying to kill her twice. In one of these attacks she was shot in the back and lost the use of her legs. Six months before her right to prosecute expired, and following the intevention of the Organization of American States (OAS), the law was passed, increasing the level of punishment for domestic violence.
“I'm very happy to be here and highlight to people that we need to face up to and combat violence against women,” she said.
Maria da Penha with the Olympic Torch at the Castelão Stadium (Photo: Rio 2016/Leonardo Rui)
“The principle behind the law is not to arrest men, but to arrest men who are aggressive,” said Penha, adding that although the law has been in effect for more than 10 years, its application is still far from ideal.
The Maria da Penha Institute was established to protect human rights and campaign against violence against women. “Since 2009, the institute has invested in education to deconstruct the macho culture, because we understand that men often hit women based on what they learn at home. It's always necessary to educate more people,” said Penha.
Penha was a keen volleyball player before her injury but she has not given up on sport, as she still plays table tennis.
Maria da Penha also posed for a photo with Rio 2016 mascot Vinicius (Photo Rio 2016/Leonardo Rui)