Olympic torch makes it through Buenos Aires
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Runners surrounded by rows of security carried the Olympic flame past thousands of jubilant Argentines on Friday in the most trouble-free torch relay in nearly a week.
People showered the parade route with confetti as banks, government offices and businesses took an impromptu half-day holiday for the only Latin American stop on the flame's five-continent journey from Ancient Olympia to the Aug. 8-24 Beijing Games.
Small groups of fenced-off demonstrators protesting China's human rights record exchanged jeers with hundreds of pro-China demonstrators, but there were no major disruptions.
Three water balloons thrown at a torchbearer as he passed the presidential palace were easily batted away by guards.
''This is beautiful, a marvelous spectacle,'' said Marcelo Tejera, 26.
Tennis Hall of Famer Gabriela Sabatini capped the relay by running down a long carpet into the hall of an equestrian club.
''I'm supercharged with emotion,'' she said, her voice breaking.