Intro:

12,000 people will be chosen to carry the Olympic torch around Brazil in the three months leading up to next year's Games in Rio de Janeiro, Carlos Nuzman, president of the Rio 2016 organising committee, says alongside the country's president Dilma Rousseff.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Carlos Nuzman, president of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games:

"Rio is working tirelessly, it is transforming itself, it is a new city, an example to others. But the games are for Brazil, and the Brazilian population will participate, 12,000 people will run with the torch."

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Dilma Rousseff, president of Brazil:

"When we see the Rio 2016 Olympic Games torch, we feel the responsibility and emotion grow. The day is approaching when we will be the first country in Latin America to have the honour of hosting the largest sporting event on earth."