Surprise and Indignation Over "Calu" Rivero's Invitation to the Olympic Torch

02/07/2016 - The designation of "Calu" Rivero for the Olympic torch caused surprise and indignation among many athletes. She took to Twitter to explain how she was invited by the 2016 Rio Olympics committee, but it was not enough to calm the uproar. "It arrived in my email. There is no sponsor. Only love and respect," said the actress on social media.

Finally, on the evening of Friday, July 1st, she spoke on Telenoche to explain the situation further. "I was invited because of my closeness to young people, because of the proximity I have through social media, to connect with them, to convey the Olympic values: unity and integration," she began.

She then commented that "the torch exceeds all sports symbolism" because "it is also a symbol of peace, solidarity, and respect" and unfortunately, the criticism overshadowed her excitement. "Everyone can have an opinion and I respect all athletes. I did not come as an athlete at all. And the fact that maybe no one knows is that during the moment when the engines are heated on the day of the opening of the Games, the torch passes by 12,000 people, and I am one of them. There were many people who are not athletes, or anything, who were invited," she explained.

"I experienced it from such a healthy and respectful perspective that it is hard for me to believe that it was seen in such a negative way," she concluded after assuring that she has nothing to say to the angry athletes, except to express her respect, as she is "very excited to experience the Olympic Games because it is a unique moment, because it is the first time they are being held in South America."

Lastly, she emphasized: "I believe that I am judged a little because people don't know who I am and I am judged in a very superficial and attacking way. But I try to understand it." Will the athletes understand her better now?