Spectators of the Olympic Torch Relay in Itapetinga improvised with all sorts of household chairs to get a better view of today's big event.

Mariazinha stole the show in Itapetinga. The mule carried torchbearer Deivid Ribeiro through the city's streets.

Florisvaldo de Souza, known affectionately as Seu Gerais, has been a familiar figure in the streets of Itapetinga for many a year. Having falling on hard times, Seu Gerais turned his life around thanks to sport. "I still can't believe what's happening."

Deivid Ribeiro carried the Olympic Torch through Itapetinga on proud donkey Mariazinha. The town owes its growth over the years to the hard work of these animals and even has a square dedicated to the gentle beast of burden.

Itapetinga has never seen anything like it. Pretty much the whole town came out today to catch a glimpse of the Olympic Torch and capture the moment on their smartphones.

Vinicius led an advance party to Itapetinga, where he made two new friends in Praça dos Pioneiros.

The convoy has hit the road for Itapetinga, the sixth stop of the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay in the legendary northeastern state of Bahia.