ATHENS, Greece — More than 2,000 police were deployed today to guard the Beijing Olympics torch relay as demonstrators gathered in the capital to protest China's human rights record.

A small group of Danish protesters dressed in orange were at the headquarters of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, several hours before the flame was due to reach Athens.

"We are here to protests the state of human rights in China and to speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves in China," Maja Groen told The Associated Press.

The group, led by Danish artist Jens Galschioet, said it had tried to follow the torch relay from central Greece to Athens but were kept back by police.

"It was really annoying that the Greek police did not allow us to follow the flame," Groen said. The flame is due to arrive in Athens at about 1 p.m. EDT after traveling on the final leg of the Greek relay.

Greek officials kept details of the route's Athens leg under tight wraps fearing a repeat of protests by human rights campaigners and opponents of China's violent crackdown in Tibet that marred Monday's flame-lighting ceremony in Ancient Olympia.

Police said the precise route was not being made public for security reasons.

Later today, runners will carry the torch to the village of Marathon, the starting point of the 26-mile race inspired by an ancient soldier's run to Athens to announce the Athenian victory over the invading Persian army in 490 B.C.

The Beijing flame will then spend the night atop the Acropolis.

The Greek Olympic Committee has banned any media from covering the Acropolis leg, provoking protests from Greece's Foreign Press Association.

After being carried through the capital, the torch will be handed over to Beijing officials on Sunday at the restored ancient stadium where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896.