Brazilian Olympic Committee President and Director General represent NOC at Pelé’s wake
President Paulo Wanderley and Director General Rogério Sampaio represented the Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOC) this Monday morning, January 2, at the wake of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé, which is taking place at the Vila Belmiro stadium in Santos (SP).
On behalf of the Brazilian Olympic Movement, the two authorities paid their last respects to the greatest athlete of the century, who always had a close relationship with Olympic sports and was a great enthusiast and supporter of the Olympic Games and Brazilian sports in general.
“Pele became more than a legend and a reference athlete. Pelé became an adjective, a standard of excellence, and one of the pillars of the Brazilian Olympic Committee. I am sure he will continue to impact our youths and our sports on a daily basis,” said President Paul Wanderley.
Other authorities were also present at the star’s wake, such as FIFA president Gianni Infantino, CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues, São Paulo Governor Tarcísio De Freitas, São Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes, and Santos mayor Rogério Santos.
Paulo Wanderley and Rogério Sampaio also paid condolences to former goalkeeper Edinho, son of King Pelé, who received authorities at the wake in Vila Belmiro.
In recognition of all his achievements on and off the field, Pelé was honored by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2016 with the commendation of the Olympic Order, the highest honor awarded by the entity. He also carried the Olympic Torch twice, before the Athens 2004 and Rio 2016 Games, and was one of the leading names in the victorious campaign to bring the Olympic Games to Rio de Janeiro.
“Paying a final tribute to King Pelé is a way to repay all he has done for world sport. Pelé leaves a legacy for all eternity,” added Rogério Sampaio.
Born on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Pelé played for almost his entire career at Santos. In almost 20 years with the club, he scored an impressive 1091 goals and won two Libertadores and two World Cups, as well as numerous other titles.
For the Brazilian national team, Pelé also had impressive feats and numbers. At just 17 years old, he shone at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden and delighted the world. Four years later, he participated in the two-time Championship campaign in Chile. And in 1970, in Mexico, it was the great highlight of the national team that made history by winning the three-time World Championship.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento died last Thursday, December 29, at 82, in São Paulo, and since then, the whole world has paid well-deserved tributes to this sports legend.
