RIO DE JANEIRO — The decision by Brazilian soccer legend Pele to make himself unavailable to light the Olympic flame, on health grounds, is the latest chapter in the complicated saga involving perhaps the greatest soccer player in history and the people of his nation.
Pele released a statement a few hours before Friday’s opening ceremony at Maracana Stadium, revealing he had been asked to undertake the honor but that his ailing health would prevent him from doing so.
“I am not physically able to attend the opening of the Olympics,” Pele said. “Only God is more important than my health.