EXCLUSIVE: Eight-year-old samba star from Rio slum who starred in Olympics Opening Ceremony was not given a single ticket to the games... despite hundreds of empty seats

He was the little boy from the favela who stole the hearts of billions for his perfect footwork and striking samba at the Olympic Opening Ceremony.

But this is as close as eight-year-old Thawan Lucas da Trindade will be getting to the Games over the next two weeks.

Because despite his starring role, Thawan's impoverished family, who live in one of the most crime-ridden areas of the notoriously violent city, simply cannot afford the cost of a ticket to watch the world's greatest sports stars in action.

And they say organisers have failed to offer them one - despite the hundreds of empty seats at every event.

Talented: Despite stealing the limelight from music star Wilson das Neves (pictured), this is as close to the action as Thawan is going to get because his family cannot afford tickets

Superfan: Thawan was able to meet one of the other stars of the opening ceremony - Gisele, who congratulated the youngster on his outstanding dancing