Sachin refuses to participate in Olympic Torch relay

New Delhi, Apr 16: Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar has reportedly announced that he would not participate in the Indian leg of the Olympic torch relay. Football player Baichung Bhutia, Magsaysay Awardee Kiran Bedi and Bollywood actor Soha Ali Khan have also turned down the invitation of the Indian Olympic Association to carry the Olympic torch.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made ahead of the arrival of the Olympic torch from Islamabad later on Wednesday. The National Security Guard will guard the Olympic torch during its three-kilometer relay from Sansad Marg to the National Stadium. China had earlier requested that its elite China Red Guards commandos be allowed to accompany the flame, but India turned it down.

On Tuesday, Delhi Police detained 27 Tibetan protesters near India Gate where large gatherings have been banned.

The Olympic torch relay in London, Paris and San Francisco has been disrupted by Tibetan protestors.

ANI