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Pele to lobby for Rio as host of 2016 Games

Society Materials 20 August 2008 00:28 (UTC +04:00)

(dpa) - The constellation of stars at the Beijing Olympics will be complete on Wednesday, with the arrival of Brazilian football legend Pele.

His rival for the title of best footballer of all time, Argentina's Diego Maradona, is already in China.

Maradona travelled to Asia on Saturday to encourage Argentina's performers from the stands. Pele is set to arrive Wednesday to promote Rio de Janeiro's candidacy to host the 2016 Games.

On Tuesday, Maradona watched from the stadium's VIP box as the Argentine football team - which seeks to defend its Olympic title - beat Brazil 3-0, to set up a final against Nigeria on Saturday.

With this victory, Argentina also ensured that the Brazilian team in Beijing would not get their first-ever Olympic gold medal in a sport they clearly dominate, with having won five World Cup titles.

On Friday, Pele is to have lunch at the Olympic Village with Brazilian athletes, and would encourage those who remain on course to win medals. This will likely include the football team, as it plays Belgium for the bronze on Friday in Shanghai.

The exuberant Maradona, will accompany Argentina in the football final Saturday, at the Workers' Stadium in Beijing.

"We will close in style, with Pele's arrival and his presence with us over the last three days as an ambassador," Carlos Roberto Osorio, executive secretary of the Rio 2016 committee, told Deutsche Presse- Agentur dpa on Tuesday.

Beijing has seen sports celebrities, in and out of competition.

Michael Phelps was congratulated in person by US President George W Bush, Kobe Bryant had his photograph taken with Lionel Messi, and Spain's Crown Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia visited the press centre.

Maradona is planning to attend Sunday's closing ceremonies, which will feature, among others, former England football captain David Beckham. An apt finish, as London will host the 2012 Olympics.

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