The President of the Brazilian Olympic Committee and head of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Carlos Nuzman attends a news conference during the launch of the Olympic torch relay in Rio de Janeiro on Jan 29.[Photo/Agencies]

The President of the Brazilian Olympic Committee and head of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Carlos Nuzman attends a news conference during the launch of the Olympic torch relay in Rio de Janeiro on Jan 29. The 2016 Olympic torch relay will pass through nearly 250 cities in Brazil, giving 90 percent of the population the chance to see it, before finishing in Rio.

"The torch will go to all corners of Brazil, to the furthest and most difficult points, to allow the Brazilian people to participate," organizing committee president Carlos Nuzman said. The relay will pass through the capitals of all the 26 states, plus the federal district of Brasilia, via a route of 20,000 kilometres and last about 100 days. Nuzman said work was being carried out to ensure the relay was safe.

"The federal government is working on security together with local and state governments for all the places the torch will pass," he explained before adding that the plans "should put everyone at ease".