Wow, has an inanimate object ever received the chilly reception across continents the Olympic Torch has gotten this year? Attacked in Europe and protested in North America, the symbol for the Olympic games may now suffer the greatest ignominy in its existence. When the torch is passing through Argentina later this week, Olympic officials have asked Diego Maradona to carry it through Buenos Aires. Maradona, for his part, is trying to get out of it by saying he’s out of town, but he’s trying to get back before Friday’s running. (read: if he can get a flight out of Ibiza once his hangover’s done with.)

Soccer great Diego Maradona was invited to be the first of 80 runners who will carry the Olympic torch across the Argentine capital, part of the flame’s international tour en route to the Beijing Games.

Organizers said Maradona would like to take part but is traveling outside the country. Officials said he will try to return in time for Friday’s relay. The torch, which has drawn protests in London and Paris, will be guarded by some 2,700 police on its 8-mile route through Buenos Aires.

Yes, but what are the police protecting against—protesters, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad or random acts of soccer violence? All three involve crazy people, so you never know.

Argentina invites Maradona to be Olympic torchbearer in Buenos Aires relay [Sporting News]
Image [Times UK]