RIO DE JANEIRO – Former French Open tennis champion Gustavo “Guga” Kuerten will light the Olympic flame as part of the opening ceremony at the Maracanã Stadium on Friday night, according to multiple reports in the Brazilian media.
Soccer legend Pele was initially tabbed to perform the flame lighting but withdrew on Friday afternoon, citing poor health.
Kuerten is a much-loved figure in his homeland and has long been an outspoken proponent for the Games, even as Brazil’s economy has nosedived and social problems have come to the fore.
“The Olympics will bring (us) alive again,” he said recently.