Vanderlei Lima ignites Olympic spirit 12 years after Athens
The Brazilian marathon runner was famously attacked by a spectator as he closed in on Olympic gold at the Athens Games in 2004.
Actualizado a
Marathon runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima lit the Olympic cauldron at the climax of the opening ceremony in Rio on Friday night in what was a touching choice to replace Pelé after the football legend was forced to pull out as he continues his recovery from hip surgery.
Athens 2004
Cordeiro became a sporting icon at the Athens Games in 2004 when he was leading the marathon in the final stages of the race. From nowhere, a spectator – later revealed to be a former Catholic priest -- attacked Cordeiro and hauled him into the watching crowd. The Brazilian lost vital time in the melee and was eventually pipped to the line and had to settle for bronze.
Cordeiro’s refusal to give up after the incident has been held up as an example of the Olympian spirit.