Samba rhythms are in full swing in Rio de Janeiro, with the Olympic torch nearly ready to enter the famed Maracana football stadium to get the Games officially underway on Friday.
Advertisement
“Only God is more important than my health”.
Later at night, skeet shooting 2000 Olympic gold medalist Mykola Milchev will bear Ukraine’s national flag at the opening ceremony.
The Opening Ceremony is a highly regarded spectacle which highlights the admirable qualities of the host nation and explores the rich culture of the region.
The 75-year-old soccer great said this week he had been invited to light the cauldron, though that was not confirmed by Rio organizers.
Pele has for years been a celebrity face of credit company MasterCard. One of MasterCard’s top competitors, Visa, sponsors the Olympic Games.
His spokesman Jose Fornos Rodrigues told AFP on Thursday that the scheduling obstacle had been removed but doubts remained about his health.
Pele had hip surgery recently and often walks with a cane. “In my life I have had fractures, surgeries, pains, hospital stays, victories and defeats, always respecting those who admire me”.
“I take responsibility for my decisions. As a Brazilian, I ask good to bless all of those who will participate in this event so that it can be a great success and end in peace”.
“It all depends on the muscle pains that hinder his mobility”, a spokesperson for Pele told Reuters.
Advertisement
He signed the statement Edson Arantes do Nascimento – Pele.
