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RIO DE JANEIRO, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Suspended Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff vowed on Friday that she would never stand down, one day after she was invited to attend the Rio Olympics in August.
During a march in Sao Paulo organized by the labor movements, Rousseff said "they have asked me and pressured me to resign. But I never will ...because the people gave me 54 million votes," adding that "a woman never quits, because a woman never never stops fighting."
In a press conference Thursday, Brazilian Sports Minister Leonardo Picciani said Rousseff would have a seat on the main podium, alongside other former Brazilian presidents, in recognition of her efforts to bring the games to Brazil.
Picciani made it clear that the interim government does not see Rousseff taking part in the opening ceremony, adding that "the Games were an effort for all of Brazil."
This week, Rousseff stated that she felt she was "the mother" of the Rio Olympic Games and Lula was "the father" as they took charge of all the "preparations and work" needed for the event.
