Olympic torch relay under way after ceremony in Greece
Last Updated: 21/04/16 5:34pm
The official countdown to this year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro has started after the torch was lit at the site of the ancient Games in Greece.
On a glorious spring day at the ancient stadium in Olympia, an actress playing a high priestess lit the torch from the rays of the sun at the temple of Hera, using a parabolic mirror.
Greek gymnastics world champion Lefteris Petrounias started the domestic relay after receiving the flame with Brazilian double Olympic volleyball champion Giovane Gavio the second runner.
A refugee will also carry the torch during the Greek leg of the relay before Brazilian organisers receive it in a handover at the Panathenian stadium on April 27 in Athens, site of the first modern Olympics in 1896.
Brazil will start its relay on May 3 in the capital Brasilia with the first of 12,000 runners, carrying it through 300 cities and towns in the 26 Brazilian states and ending in Rio on the day of the opening ceremony.
Preparations for the first Games in South America, which run from August 5-21, have been plagued by problems and a shortage of cash for organisers as the country is experiencing its worst recession in decades.
"The torch lighting brings a message that can and will unite our dear Brazil," Rio Games chief Carlos Nuzman said in his speech.
Brazil president Dilma Rousseff, who cancelled her trip to ancient Olympia, is facing impeachment and federal prosecutors are investigating Olympic projects for corruption.
"Despite the difficulties that Brazil is facing today, the flame is a timeless reminder that we are all part of the same humanity," International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach said.
"Rio de Janeiro will provide a spectacular to showcase the best of the human spirit. In just a few weeks the Brazilian people will enthusiastically welcome the world and amaze us with their joy of life and their passion for sport."
However, despite the feelgood factor generated by the start of the torch relay in Greece, there were fresh concerns about the infrastructure in Brazil on Thursday when a bike lane collapsed along the beachfront in Rio, reportedly killing at least two people who were on it when cement gave way and crashed onto the beach below.
Images on Brazil's G1 television station showed a long stretch of the bike lane, which runs for several miles, had crumbled.
No Olympic events are planned for the lane, which was inaugurated with much fanfare in January, but the collapse will fuel worries about the country's readiness to host the Games.
