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Ronaldinho carries Pan-American Games torch

First Published: Jun 30, 2007
Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho, seen here in 2006, took a turn in carrying the torch ahead of the 2007 Pan-American Games, to be held in Rio de Janeiro from July 13-29.

Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho, seen here in 2006, took a turn in carrying the torch ahead of the 2007 Pan-American Games, to be held in Rio de Janeiro from July 13-29.

Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho took a turn in carrying the torch ahead of the 2007 Pan-American Games, to be held in Rio de Janeiro from July 13-29.

Grinning broadly throughout, Ronaldinho carried the flame for a short while during its trip to his home town of Porto Alegre in the south of the vast country.

"I'm very touched. This is a great honour for me, especially as it's in my town," said Ronaldinho.

The Pan-American Games flame was lit on June 11 by Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and will travel through 42 cities and towns - representing the 42 countries in the region - before coming to rest in Rio.