Protesters clash with police as Olympic torch travels through Rio

The Olympic torch passes through Rio — (Image credit: Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

The Olympic torch arrived by boat in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, the final stop before the 2016 Summer Olympics opening ceremony on Friday, but not all Brazilians were feeling the Olympic spirit. As Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes carried the torch through his city, hundreds of demonstrators blocked the road in the northern part of Rio, protesting the steep financial cost of hosting the Summer Games. Police in riot gear used tear gas and pepper spray to clear the road, BBC News reports, citing local media reports.

The Rio Games have been marred by safety concerns, political unrest, an economic downturn, the Zika virus, a doping scandal, and fears about dangerous pollutants and viruses in the water. Organizers of the Games, who say more than a million tickets have not yet been sold, announced Thursday they will give 200,000 tickets away to underprivileged children.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.