BUENOS AIRES -- Throngs of people gathered along the avenue. Horns and sirens honked all through the route to squeeze a lane for the media bus keep going. The torchbearers had to be very close to the rear of bus for walking down each 200 meters. That's how the Olympic flame managed its way through the journey on Friday in Buenos Aires.
Supporters of the Beijing Olympics gather outside the Casa Rosada Presidential Palace to wait for the the Olympic torch to pass by during the relay in Buenos Aires April 11, 2008. [Agencies] |
"It's really a spree best ever in the city," said the first torchbearer Carlos Espinola, the sailing silver medallist in the 2000 Sydney Games.
The Olympic flame was greeted in great passion in the "Tango City", the only destination in Latin America and only Spanish speaking country, marking its seventh stop in 33-day global journey outside of mainland of China. It's also the first time ever for Buenos Aires welcome the arrival of Olympic flame.
A grand opening ceremony in the Ecologic Reserve unveiled the pageant relay. Artistic Tango show by Inaki Urlezaga, composed by members of the National Symphony, started a day of cheering and applause. The military band from regiment 1 of the patricios infantry played the national athems of China and Argentina.
Thousands of onlookers held the mobile phones, digital cameras and digital videos, trying to preserve the trace of the Olympic flame. Cheering, screaming and applauding were permeating all around the city.
The absence of soccer legend Diego Maradona and Gabriel Batistuta shed little gloom on the relay as the enthusiasm of the city residents made up for everything. Spanish Primera Liga player Andres, D'Alessandro and former U.S. open tennis champion Gabriela Sabatini, 2004 Athens Olympic silver medallist in tennis women's double Paola Suarezs were leading the roster of torchbearers.
"To be the first to hold the torch is a great honor for me," said the substitute first-leg runner Espinola.
"It has been always a dream for Diego Maradona to be part of the Olympic Games, but he was not available for the first leg because of I guess a reason out of his control," added Espinola, who won the America Cup three times.
Suarez just wrapped her professional career and gets ready to start a new occupation as TV commentator.
"I am working for TV channel to be a commentator. It's likely for me to go to Beijing Olympic Games as a commentator. The torch is really nice I see it on TV last night, I will keep it with all my trophies," said Suarez.
"The visit of the Olympic Torch in Buenos Aires is a one time in a life event in the sports of our country," said Francisco Irarrazaval, sports undersecretary of Buenos Aires.
"In the city of Buenos Aires, we are very proud to have the opportunity to host an event of such magnitude, united by important human values that we want to reflect on our society."
Liu Jingmin, the vice president of BOCOG expressed his sincere thanks for the support of Argentine people.
"The Olympic flame brings the friendship of Chinese people to the far most destination of its global journey. We are taking efforts for the same cause, lasting peace and world prosperity," said Liu.
"The Beijing Olympic Games is a great assemblage for the athletes from all around the world, and a great assemblage for all peoples around the world.
"The tradition of soccer and tango in Argentina are well known among Chinese people. The passion of Argentine people is well learned today."
The Olympic flame will be going next to the sole stop in Africa Dar es Salaam, the capital city of Tanzania.
