Olympic torch relay runner pulls down pants in cheeky protest

THE Olympic torch relay has had its fair share of mishaps but one local showed some barefaced cheek as he carried the flame through Rio.

Brazilian musician Tarcisio Cisao is led away during the Rio Olympic torch relay. Picture: Facebook

The protest plagued Rio Olympic torch relay has been the subject of scuffles, arrests and even someone trying to extinguish the flame.

But never this — on Wednesday a torch bearer dropped his pants in a cheeky demonstration against Brazil’s new president.

Hours earlier, a leg of the relay had to be cancelled after police dispersed a seething crowd with teargas.

Anger at the cost of the Olympics spilt over on Wednesday in Angra dos Reis, south of Rio de Janeiro, as a runner bearing the torch entered the city.

Protesters blocked his way prompting police to break up the demonstrators with rubber bullets, tear gas and pepper spray. No injuries were reported.

But a more colourful demonstration occurred in Rio itself as the flame entered the host city.

Initially, it was all going well. Navy seamen in white uniforms rowed one of Brazil’s Olympic sailing heroes ashore to hand the flame to Mayor Eduardo Paes, who ran a short way with the torch and danced to live samba music.

Brazilian musician Tarcisio Cisao took his shorts pants down while in the Rio Olympic torch relay

But then the torch, which will light the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony late Friday, was passed on and the deeper the relay penetrated into the city the wilder things became.

Ahead of the torch itself the crowds were greeted at first by two large Coca-Cola trucks and then, dampening the mood somewhat, car loads of police — rifles poking out the windows. Then they came in long lines on foot, wearing helmets and black armour as if headed to a riot, not a celebration.

Yet the moment the flame appeared, the party began.

When musician Tarcisio Cisao, dressed in the regulation Olympic yellow and white shorts and shirt for relay runners, took the torch, the tempo rose another notch.

#Olympic torch carrier drops pants during procession to protest #Temer governmenthttps://t.co/QFd2RqMXZW pic.twitter.com/k6tfOBS5IQ

— Shane Raymond (@ShaneARaymond) August 3, 2016

A band of trumpet, trombone and drum players appeared and Mr Cisao drew huge cheers as he danced down the street, holding the flaming torch high above his head.

And then he pulled down his shorts revealing a leopard-print thong and a backside emblazoned with the words: “Temer out.”

That’s a reference to Brazil’s interim president, Michel Temer, who has — in all but name — taken over from elected president Dilma Rousseff who is almost certain to be removed from office for allegedly breaking budget laws.

A Facebook video shows a semi-naked man being led away by officials clothed in ‘Rio 2016’ T-shirts.

“It’s a coup d’etat,” Mr Cisao, 31, told AFP after he was hustled away by police and the torch was passed to the next runner.

TOPSHOT - An Olympic torch bearer runs through the city centre as the Olympic flame is paraded through Rio de Janeiro on August 3, 2016 ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The Olympic flame landed by boat in Rio de Janeiro to a welcome committee of samba dancers, cheering crowds and small protests ahead of the opening ceremony. / AFP PHOTO / YASUYOSHI CHIBA

Actor Daniel Galvao, who was in the street band playing while Mr Cisao ran, said the stunt was meant to embarrass Temer and protest what he called the “facade” of the Olympics.

“In a way the Olympics is good for Brazil to help us develop, but the country is very sad, full of violence and unemployment,” said Carlos Roberto, 56, a dockyard worker. “You go into a hospital and can’t find a doctor or medicines.”

As the torch and its entourage disappeared, so did the excitement, leaving at best mixed feelings.