ATHENS, Greece – Greece’s Olympic committee says Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has cancelled a scheduled appearance at this month’s flame-lighting ceremony in Greece for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro this summer.
A committee statement Friday said it had been informed of the cancellation by Brazil’s embassy in Athens, but did not provide further details.
It said Rio organizing committee chief Carlos Nuzman was expected to attend the April 21 ceremony in Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympics in southern Greece where the flame is lighted in a fake ancient ritual before every games.
Rousseff is battling impeachment over allegations she manipulated budget accounts to allow her administration to boost spending ahead of her 2014 re-election campaign. She has denied committing any crime.
