Argies worried over Olympic torch relay

The head of the Argentine Olympic Committee (AOC) expressed worry of what could happen if the Olympic torch relay reaches Buenos Aires on Friday. With protests disrupting the relay in Paris and London, AOC president Julio Casanello is on pins and needles in anticipation of what could occur:

“It is undoubtedly a complicated situation. It’s unique when there ideological ingredients mixed in,” he said from Beijing…

“In Argentina there’s a total freedom of expression, but my doubt is how much things can get confused…I don’t know how far (different protest groups) will come together or not.” – [ed. personal translation]

Mind you, Casanello’s concerns may be moot when all is said and done. Though International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge has denied it, reports have circulated that the torch relay could be cancelled.

Image- CTV.ca (“Security men tackle a protester, left, as Stephane Diagana, right, president of France's national athletics league, carries the Olympic torch at the beginning of its relay from the first floor of the Eiffel tower in Paris, Monday, April 7, 2008. (AP / Christophe Ena)”)

Sources (Spanish)- Clarin

Sources (English)- Bloomberg, AFP, Wall Street Journal, Times Online