Rio de Janeiro will host the first Olympic Games in South America in 2016. These will be historic days, where the world will come together around sport and Rio's celebrations.

One of the most memorable moments leading up to the Games is the passing of the Olympic Torch. This Sunday (31), two big names in red-and-black basketball participated in this act that symbolizes unity.

Star player Marcelinho Machado carried the torch through the city of Campos dos Goytacazes, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. At the end of his journey, he passed the flame to Michila, a masseuse who is one of the Flamengo basketball team's longest-serving and most iconic employees. João da Silva—his birth name—has competed in the Olympics and has over 30 years of experience in Brazilian basketball.