Chinese news-wire Xinhuanet is reporting that early indications suggest that controversial Argentine icon, Diego Maradona, may carry the Olympic torch as it makes its way through Buenos Aires on Friday, April 11. The former soccergreat was formally invited by Francisco Irarrazabel, the deputy sports chief on the the Buenos Aires city council. Maradona was not invited, as tradition, by the Argentine Olympic Committee, due to the fact that he has never participated in any Olympic events. Typically, the honor of carrying the torch is reserved for former Olympic athletes only.
Maradona has become an unofficial ambassador of Argentina since his retirement, though sometimes for the wrong reasons. He has yet to confirm the event, due to a hectic travel schedule in the next few weeks. The city remains hopeful that he will commit.
