Rousseff not to attend Olympic ceremony

Suspended Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff said she will not attend the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics because she does not want to take a secondary position in the Maracana stadium.

Roussef would have been placed in the stand below that of interim president Temer, and not at his side, a spokesperson for Temer said.

Her predecessor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has also refused the invitation despite being instrumental in Rio's winning bid to host the games.

Both have accused Temer's party and allies of politically persecuting them.

Rousseff faces possible removal from office if she loses an impeachment trial shortly after the games and Lula is facing corruption allegations, which he denies.