RIO DE JANEIRO (Sputnik) – Earlier, it was reported that retired Brazilian soccer player Pele, a three-time World Cup champion, was invited to light the cauldron. However, Pele said on Friday that he would not be able to attend the Friday opening ceremony due to poor health.
Local media reported earlier on Friday that retired Brazilian tennis player Gustavo Kuerten, also known as Guga, who is a three-time French Open winner (1997, 2000, 2001), could be the one to light the cauldron.
Cordeiro de Lima, who eventually lit the cauldron on Friday night, won the marathon bronze at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
The Summer Olympic Games are being held in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro from August 5 until August 21. Brazil is the first South American country to host the competition.
