News / News Bulletin

Brazilian legend Pele to light Rio Olympic Pyre

Thursday, 04 August 2016 1:40 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 04 August 2016 1:40 AM ]

Handout picture released by the Rio 2016 Olympic Committee showing former football player Pele holding the Olympic flame at the Pele Museum in Santos, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, on July 22, 2016. AFP

The Brazilian legend Pele has been invited to light the Olympic Pyre for the Rio Games on Friday.

The International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and the head of the Brazilian committee Carlos Arthur Nuzman have made the invitation, and said they expect an answer by Thursday.

Pele said it would be a great honor to do so but he would have to call off a trip organized by his sponsors.

In Brazil, the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay started in the country’s capital Brasilia on May 3. The torch relay will end on August 5 during the opening ceremony at the Maracana Stadium.

The Rio Olympic is the 31 edition of the modern day Olympic Games, where 39 different sports will be played.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

Olympics