Cordeiro lights the Olympic Flame

After international soccer legend Pele revealed in a statement during the afternoon that he had turned down the opportunity to perform lighting duties due to poor health, it was widely reported that former French Open tennis champion Gustavo “Guga” Kuerten would be called in.

However, by the time the opening ceremony began at the Maracana Stadium, leading Brazilian media outlet Globo claimed that former marathon runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima had been selected. 

Kuerten is a much-loved figure in his homeland and has long been an outspoken proponent for the Games. But Cordeiro de Lima, however, was the favourite for the sentimentalists. He led the Olympic marathon race with just four miles remaining in 2004, before his bid for glory was derailed in disgraceful fashion.

Irish sports prankster Cornelius Horan burst onto the course as Cordeiro de Lima progressed towards the main stadium, and grabbed the runner, stopping his movement. 

Another spectator helped the Brazilian get free, but he lost around 20 seconds during the incident and much more due to his broken momentum. He was eventually passed by two other runners but claimed bronze, danced his way over the finishing line while grinning from ear to ear, and was awarded the De Coubertin prize for sportsmanship at the end of the Games.