The Olympic Torch has arrived in Brazil to begin its 95-day journey to Rio de Janeiro for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.

Along the way, it will pass through the hands of about 12,000 runners, who will each carry it for 2km as it travels through 329 cities.

Brazilian indigenous athlete Kamukaika Lappa Yawalapiti was among those who were given the honour of carrying the torch when it arrived in the capital Brasilia on Tuesday, and is seen here holding the torch at the Indigenous People's Memorial in the city.

The first torchbearer in the relay was Fabiana Claudino, a two-time Olympic champion and the current captain of the Brazilian volleyball team.

Others included world surfing champion Gabriel Medina and 12-year-old Syrian refugee Hanan Khaled Daqqah.

Embattled Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff greeted the Olympic flame in the capital on Tuesday, promising not to allow a raging political crisis, which could see her suspended within days, to spoil the Rio Games.

The torch relay will end in Rio's Maracana Stadium on Aug 5 for the opening ceremony.