Rio 2016: Torch that lit Olympic cauldron on auction

Collectors have their eye on the Rio 2016 Games memorabilia. More than 15,000 items have been put on offer in an auction held by the Rio 2016 Committee. The most coveted of them at the moment is the torch that former Brazilian runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima used to light the cauldron at Maracanã stadium at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games. The torch has received 100 bids, and is now worth more than R$90,000 (over $27,000).

Other official torches signed by athletes who won gold medals during the games are also on auction on the Committee website.

The ball used at the women's hockey final that saw Great Britain win gold is also very popular. A buyer is offering to pay nearly R$10,000 for it (over $3,000). For the China flag used at the Olympics closing ceremony parade, the current bid stands at over R$2,000 (more than $600).

The money raised from the online sale will be given to the Rio 2016 Committee.

Similar auctions have been held since the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics in Canada. But this is the first time the sale is open to bidders from around the world rather than from the host country only.

Translated by Mayra Borges