Horan conceded that it was a “kneejerk and selfish reaction to some extent,” but he made no apology for his feelings.

“Some of what I say won’t be very sympathetic toward Vanderlei,” Horan said. “Just like my master Christ was very offensive, if needed, in what he said, I feel like, on this occasion, I have no choice.”

Horan has gained bursts of infamy for his public exploits. He is a defrocked Irish priest who has made an occasional habit of interrupting sports events. He frequently appears at demonstrations, wearing a green beret and a green vest — the same outfit he wore when he interrupted the Olympic marathon — claiming that the second coming of Jesus is near. In 2009, he appeared on “Britain’s Got Talent,” and his Irish dancing earned him an invitation to the second round, until executives realized who he was. He does not dispute the label as an eccentric.

On Saturday, with an Irish accent and a measured pace, Horan described why he has such animus toward de Lima. He said that he has sent de Lima two letters of apology, in Portuguese, but has never had contact with him since the fateful day in Athens. (After the 2004 Games, Horan said he planned to go to Brazil to apologize in person, but he faced charges of indecency with a child. He was acquitted by a jury later that year.)