Brazilian soccer great Pele was presented an Olympic order Thursday, the highest award offered by the International Olympic Committee.
The ceremony was held at the Pele Museum in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Pele received the honor in the form of an Olympic necklace of rings and laurels.
IOC President Thomas Bach did the honors.
“It is a distinct honor to announce today that the International Olympic Committee has accepted the nomination of Pele as a recipient of the Olympic order, the highest distinction the iIOC can award,” Bach said.
Pele in turn joked that Brazil had never won an Olympic gold medal in soccer, because he never played in the games.
But he said he hoped his country’s luck would change.
Bach also thanked Brazil for the extra funds awarded by the interim federal government to finish Olympic projects in time for the games.
“This is another testimony to the fact that these Olympic Games are beyond politics and that they are unifying even the political forces in this country,” Bach said.
Brazil’s suspended president is facing an impeachment trial in mid-August during the games. In the meantime, an interim president is running the country.