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Rousseff emerged from the presidential palace on Tuesday and took her place beside a small cauldron, declaring, "Brazil is ready to host the most successful Olympics in history."
Just across the street, protesters waited to greet her.
Yet there were as many cheers as jeers for a leader who may not last in office long enough to preside over the Opening Ceremonies in August. For all the nationwide talk about getting rid of her – "Tchau Querida!" or "Bye Dear!" has become a rallying cry – there is also a group that feels the push to oust her is not based in democracy, and is poisonous for the populace. Many of those people made their voices heard Monday.
"The media does not cover our side," exclaimed one sign-carrying Dilma supporter, who did not give her name. She and others feel the current climate is part of a "coup," authored by other corrupt politicians and egged on by an antiestablishment press.
Rousseff waved at her backers, smiling again as some shouted for her, "Dilma!"
The torch was lit and carried across a cement walkway toward Eixo Monumental, one of the main arteries toward the hotel district. For a brief moment, there was awe and appreciation for a lasting tradition of sport. A few of the onlookers welled up in tears, Yahoo Sports reported.
As the torch crossed a bridge, protesters and police followed. A helicopter hovered overhead and mounted police attended closely. Supporters of Dilma strode in the same mob as the critics, and it almost seemed like one united group when in fact it was hardly that. One sign called for an end to the impeachment, while steps away an inflatable convict in jail attire carried a torch.
Tasnim News Agency - sports