Buenos Aires - The Olympic torch relay started Friday in Buenos Aires, with the flame in the hands of Argentine windsurfer and sailor Carlos Espinola, a triple Olympic medalist. Under a grey sky, Espinola started the 13-kilometre course over which 80 people will carry the fire through the city centre and even a stretch on the river, on two row boats.
No incidents of any significance were reported during the early stages of the relay, although one spectator threw a water balloon as the Olympic torch passed by the historic Plaza de Mayo, in the hands of equestrian Lucas Wethein.
The water balloon was intercepted by the abundant security personnel that accompanied the Olympic symbol amid the crowd.
Argentine football legend Maradona declined to carry the torch due to commitments in Mexico, but other current and former stars like former tennis player Gabriela Sabatini are participating.
In the meantime, a few scores of demonstrators carried an alternative "human rights torch" to the presidential palace, demanding a boycott to the Beijing Olympics scheduled to take place in August.
Many members of the Chinese community who reside in Argentina, however, demonstrated in turn with red flags in favour of holding the Games in their home country.
