Barbara Kendall went ahead with her invitation to carry the Olympic torch on Sunday despite the protests that have surrounded the relay in recent days - with some even getting close enough to extinguish the flame.
Today the torchbearers were again swamped, but this time by an excited crowd.
Kendall has taken part in as many torch relays as she has Olympic medals. Her third was followed by an ominous security squad, but Kendall showed no sign of any worry.
"[I'm feeling] really excited, actually. It's just such a privilege to represent New Zealand in this torch relay and to come into suburbs of Brazil that don't get the Olympic Games and to spread the love."
The crowds weren't so loving of the Olympic movement just a few days ago, as cellphone footage shows, but that hasn't worried Kendall.
"Nothing, no - when you get inside the people it's just awesome," she said.
Be careful what you wish for in Brazil. Kendall was soon surrounded by locals in the town of Cachoeiras de Macacu, an hour-and-a-half north of Rio.
That was followed by a bang as fireworks rang out above the town, creating a carnival-like atmosphere with the sense that anything can happen.
The torch began its trip around Brazil in early May and it hasn't been without hiccups - a motorbike crashed into a security officer, there have been several attempts to extinguish the flame, and someone tried to steal it.
Not today though, as one local explained.
"I'm very excited because not only is it the first time [the Olympic torch has been] here, it's the first time in South America and Brazil," she explained in Portuguese.
"It's a historic moment for our town; it's a small town but we are very welcoming."
It's hard not to get swept up in the excitement of the locals. While the torch relay hasn't been without drama, the Brazilians certainly know how to put on a party.
Newshub.
