Widely considered the greatest soccer player of all time, Pele would be a natural choice to light the Olympic pyre in his home country of Brazil. It turns out the Rio 2016 organizers agree — but there’s one holdup that’s stopping the plan.
Pele told Brazil’s Globo TV on Tuesday that he has to check with his sponsor to ensure he can make it to Rio to do the job.
“I have a contract that I am bound to fulfill,” Pele said, via Reuters, noting that he needs permission from the U.S. company that holds his brand name. “As a Brazilian, I’d love to do it.”
Pele said he was due to be on a trip organized by said sponsor, but he would have an answer for the IOC on Thursday.
You can read about the history of the Olympic torch relay here, and understand why it would be so meaningful to Pele. Here’s hoping that he’s allowed to do it.
