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World / Americas

Olympics: Suspended Rousseff to get ceremony invite

Published: 24 Jun 2016 - 12:00 am | Last Updated: 02 Nov 2021 - 10:42 am
Peninsula

FILE PHOTO: Dilma Rousseff hands the Olympic torch to Brazilian volleyball player Fabiana Claudino at Planalto Palace in Brasilia on May 3, 2016.  AFP

 

Rio de Janeiro: Dilma Rousseff, Brazil's suspended president, will be invited to the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics on August 5, the organising committee said Thursday.

Rousseff has been replaced by vice-president Michel Temer pending her impeachment trial over allegations of fiddling government accounts.

Temer in his role as head of state will officially declare the first Games in South America open, said Mario Andrada, spokesman for the Rio 2016 organising committee.

But he added: "She (Rousseff) will be invited, but not only president Dilma, all ex-presidents will be invited, it's part of democracy and the Olympic protocol."

During a visit to the Olympic Park last week, Temer brushed off the prospect of his rival Rousseff at the opening ceremony, saying he had no objections.

AFP