OlympicTalk · Aug 5, 2016
Brazilian legend Pele ‘not physically able’ to attend Opening Ceremony
One of the big questions in the days and hours leading up to the official beginning of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro was what role Brazilian legend Pele would have in the Opening Ceremony. Given his list of accomplishments, both individually and as a member of three World Cup-winning teams in Brazil (1958, 1962 and 1970), it would only be right to have Edson Arantes do Nascimento in attendance, if not lighting the Olympic cauldron at the Maracanã Stadium Friday night.
Unfortunately Pele will not be in attendance, as health issues have forced him to remain home. Pele made the announcement via press release Friday afternoon.