News One flame, travelling 12,500 miles (20,000km) by road, 10,000 miles (16,000km) by air, and carried by around 12,000 people – the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay in numbers alone looks set to be a momentous occasion when it starts on 3 May next year But it's the torch bearers and not the numbers that make the relay so special, reflected in the design of the torch – which symbolises the meeting of the Olympic flame and the warmth of the Brazilian people With that in mind, the Rio 2016 organising committee and the three Olympic Torch Relay partners – Coca-Cola, Nissan and Bradesco – are searching for ordinary heroes to carry the torch  The four organisations are seeking nominations for people who have inspired others and made a difference in their communities Potential torch bearers, who must be residents of Brazil, can be recommended via the links at the bottom of this article  “We know that the best thing about Brazil is its people and so we want to hear the stories of real people who make a difference in every corner of the country,” said Rio 2016 ceremonies director Leonardo Caetano, who is tasked with organising the relay “Taking part in the Olympic Torch Relay is not exclusively for celebrities and athletes Everyone can take part, nominate someone or be a torch bearer, it just has to be shown that they have made a difference in the lives of others ” Video (click on cog symbol to select English subtitles)The Olympic flame will be lit in a traditional ceremony on 21 April 2016 in the Greek city of Olympia After a quick tour of Greece, the torch will be passed to Brazilian organisers on 27 April On 3 May 2016, the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay will begin in Brasília, lasting 95 days and passing through more than 300 cities across the five regions of Brazil, culminating in the lighting of the cauldron at the Maracanã Stadium, on 5 August 2016  Find out all about the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Learn about the history of the Olympic Torch Relay Video: The torch route around BrazilHow to nominate (websites in Portuguese)Rio 2016 www rio2016 com/revezamento-da-tocha/ (until 15 October 2015)Coca-Cola www issoeouro cocacola com brNissan www quemseatreve com brBradesco www revezamentobra com br