Mark Lyall Grant, the UK's Ambassador to the United Nations handed off a symbolic baton to Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado, the Ambassador from Brazil, the future host country of the 2016 Olympic Games on Monday (July 29).

Also attending was the United Nation's Secretary General Ban Ki-moon who said, "I'm happy to witness the passing of the baton, the great relay, which symbolises our common goals and values and our commitment to use the games as a platform to promote mutual understanding and peace. I wish Rio, Brazil and the world exciting and transformative games. The United Nations stands ready to support you on the homestretch of hosting the two largest sporting events in the world."

With just over 1,100 days to go before taking over hosting duties, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's second largest city, is gearing up to accommodate an estimated 400,000 foreign tourists plus hundreds of thousands of Brazilians.

Machado says the Brazilian government is planning carefully, staying focused on creating more jobs and improving its infrastructure as part of its effort to prepare for the games.

"For my country it is both a huge satisfaction and a very healthy challenge to succeed the United Kingdom in the organization of the summer Olympic and Paralympic games. The London games without any doubt will serve as an inspiration for my country and for all future hosts of the games."

Presented by Adam Justice