Rio 2016 Organizers Say Pele Unlikely to Participate in Closing Ceremony

Brazil's football icon Pele is set to miss the closing ceremony for the Rio Olympic Games, organizers said on Friday.

"Pele is not going to take part in the closing ceremony," Abel Gomes, creative supervisor for both opening and closing ceremonies, said as reported by DPA news agency.

Declining health conditions had forced the 75-year-old legend to not attend the opening ceremony after he was originally set to light the Olympic flame at the August 5 opening in Maracana Stadium.

Organizing committee spokesman Mario Andrada said there had been no contact between officials and Pele since then but added: "Obviously if we have the chance to have him there, it will be our pleasure." The closing ceremony of the 31st summer Olympics takes place on August 22.

Source : XINHUA