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8 July 2009
Abuja — A cocktail party organised by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa on Monday was partially disrupted when Pele arrived at the venue.
The party, held to welcome delegates to the association's 13th Ordinary General Assembly in Abuja, took place at its temporary secretariat.
Most of the delegates from the 53-member countries threw caution to the wind as they ran to the football legend for a hand shake or take photographs with him.
Pele, who is a member of the delegation to make a presentation on behalf of Rio de Janeiro for its 2016 Olympic Games bid, was virtually smuggled out of the party by security men.
The football legend could only manage a handshake from the President of the International Olympic Committee, Dr Jacques Rogge, before he was whisked out of the venue.
The reaction of the delegates was an indication that Pele's presence was a boost to the Rio bid.
Other cities bidding to host the games are Chicago (U.S.), Madrid and Tokyo. Delegates from the four cities are in Abuja to canvass for African votes at the IOC congress in Copenhagen in October.
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