Cape Town – Brazilian football legend Pele will not light up the cauldron at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games opening ceremony on Saturday morning (01:00 SA time).
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“Dear friends, only God is more important than my health!” the 75-year-old said in a statement published by Brazilian media.
Pele, who was invited by ceremony organizers to light the Olympic Cauldron on Wednesday, was already feared to not attend the ceremony due to his fragile health.
Organisers have kept light-tipped about the details of the ceremony and had not confirmed whether Pele would take part, repeatedly refusing to comment on who might light the cauldron – the symbol of the Games that remains lit until the closing ceremony.
Earlier this week, Pele said he was asked to light the cauldron by the organisers, however he had “an global commitment with an English company”.
However, Pele confirmed earlier in the week that he has “an global commitment with an English company” that could prevent him from attending the ceremony, though admitted it would be an “honour” to perform the task of lighting the cauldron.
The 75-year-old triple World Cup victor had hip surgery in December and needs a walking stick to get around.
“His doctor though it best that he continues physiotherapy, that he rests and we hope that he will be able to appear at the closing ceremony”, Pepito Fornos stated.
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He was named “Athlete of the century” by the International Olympic Committee in 1999 despite never competing at a Games because professional players were barred from doing so during his playing days. The striker won three World Cups with Brazil but never competed at the Olympics.
