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Muscle pain casts doubt Pele opening ceremony role

Xinhua, August 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

Pele will seek clearance from his doctor before knowing whether he will participate in Friday's Olympic Games opening ceremony, his spokesman said on Thursday.

The Brazil football great said on Wednesday that he had been invited to light the Olympic cauldron at the Maracana stadium but was unable to commit due to commitments with a sponsor.

However spokesman Jose Fornos Rodrigues said the 75-year-old had changed his previous arrangements.

"Getting free is not a problem now, but he has muscle pain which is affecting his mobility," the spokesman said. "If he is given the all-clear he will travel tomorrow. The logistics still need to be worked out. But we need to see the doctor first."

Pele has suffered a series of health concerns in recent years, including hip problems, kidney stones and urinary tract infections.

The three-time World Cup winner is regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time and he is widely expected to light the cauldron at the end of Friday's ceremony. As per Olympic tradition, the identity of the person chosen for the honor has been kept a closely guarded secret by organizers. Endit