Pele has been forced to withdraw from the Olympic opening ceremony due to poor health Getty Pele will not light the Olympic Cauldron when the 2016 Rio Games get underway on Friday night after a spokesman confirmed he cannot attend the opening ceremony due to poor health.The Brazilian football legend was widely expected to light the flame during the ceremony at the Maracana Stadium, which will host the Olympics athletics events, although the identity of who would be given the honour was being kept under wraps.
However, a spokesman for 75-year-old Pele confirmed just a few hours before the opening ceremony that the former footballer will not attend the ceremony and had declined the offer to light the flame due to his ill health, having recently undergone hip surgery.
"I'm not in physical condition to take part in the opening ceremony," Pele said. "Only God is more important than my health. In my life, I've had fractures, surgeries, pain, hospital stays, victories and defeats. And I've always respected those who admire me."
He also confirmed that it was his “own decision” not to attend the ceremony.
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