Kurzweil
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- May 25, 2011
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The Olympic torch relay was disrupted by striking teachers after it entered Rio de Janeiro. Video footage of the demonstration suggests the flame was extinguished while the runner carrying the torch had to be bussed to safety.
The incident forced a temporary halt and prompted some runners to quit the relay. Protesters stoned cars and police responded with tear gas and pepper spray. To avoid further problems, a stretch of the relay was missed out.
A Rio 2016 spokesman, Philip Wilkinson, explained there is a back-up of eight lanterns. “The torch often goes out and is relit. The flame is never extinguished.”
The demonstration was staged by striking teachers, who are angry at not being paid for two months as a result of the near bankruptcy of the Rio state government.
Source: The Guardian