Silva in London 2012 Olympics
The participation of Marina Silva as one of the eight invited (flagbearers) to carry the Olympic flag at the opening of the London Summer Games 2012, took by surprise the Brazilian government representatives present at the ceremony, and was widely celebrated by her supporters and the Brazilian mainstream press organs (which makes a persistent opposition to the Workers' Party administrations). Commenting on the event, Aldo Rebelo, Brazilian Sports Minister, said that Silva "always had good relations with the European aristocracy" and that was the responsibility of the Royal House to choose who would participate in the event. The Olympic Committee said it was aware of Silva's work as an activist in defense of the rainforest, but denied any political motivations regarding the choice. About her participation in the ceremony, Silva compared it to the feeling she got when passing, aged 16, her literacy course: "it was the same kind of happiness."
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