Pele says will not light Olympic cauldron for poor health

AFP

05/08/2016

17:07 MYT

Pele says will not light Olympic cauldron for poor health

This file photo taken on July 22, 2016 shows a handout picture released by the Rio 2016 Olympic Committee of former football player Pele holding the Olympic flame at the Pele Museum in Santos, Sao Paulo State, on July 22, 2016. - AFP photo

Brazil football legend Pele said poor health will prevent him from lighting the Olympic cauldron at the Games' opening ceremony on Friday as he had hoped to do.

"Right now I am not in physical condition to take part in the opening of the Olympics," the 75-year-old said in a statement published by Brazilian media.