Ex-supermodel to partake in Rio opening ceremony

Rio de Janeiro - Ex-supermodel Gisele Bundchen will strut her stuff in her native Brazil next month, this time swapping the catwalk for the stadium hosting the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Rio.

Bundchen, who retired from modeling last year, will walk through a "futuristic gateway" at Maracana Stadium during the August 5 ceremony marking the start of the first Games hosted in South America, according to Extra newspaper.

Extra said the theme of the ceremony would be "the future."

Rio 2016 organisers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Bundchen, now 35, who was once the highest paid model in the world, also participated in the prize ceremony for the 2014 World Cup final that pitted Argentina against Germany, in Maracana Stadium as well.

Extra said another highlight of the Olympics ceremony would be a performance by veteran samba singer Elza Soares, 79.

Soares, the widow of football player Garrincha, is expected to sing about Rio's favelas.

Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil, two living legends of the South American giant's music, are also expected to participate in the ceremony.

They will be joined by funk singer Anitta.

"It's very exciting to work for such a great event," O Globo newspaper quoted her as saying.

And in this capital of the Carnival festival, the 12 leading school percussion bands will have the crowd bouncing to the music in the huge arena.