The official countdown to this years 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. Lefteris Petrounias kicks off the torch relay at Olympia 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. Greek actress Katerina Lechou, acting as the high priestess, lights the Olympic flame at the Temple of Hera 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 Brazils 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 countrys readiness to host the Games. Also See: OConnor in GB team Historic victory for Young Scott decision criticised Russia reveals doping reforms Air Force 1 Store . 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The AL East-leading Orioles are 39-16 at home, the top mark in the majors. Left-hander Wade Miley (7-8, 4.98 ERA) makes his Baltimore debut after he was obtained Sunday in a trade with Seattle. A.J. Griffin (4-1, 3.99) faces the Orioles for the first time since 2013. AL West-leading Texas is 9-4 in his 13 starts.GETTING HEALTHYJordan Zimmermann (9-4) comes off the disabled list from a neck injury to pitch against the White Sox as host Detroit seeks its ninth straight victory. And teammate J.D. Martinez is expected to make his first start since missing seven weeks with a broken elbow. Martinez returned with a bang Wednesday night in a 2-1 win, breaking an eighth-inning tie with a pinch-hit homer off Chris Sale on the first pitch the slugger had faced since mid-June. Martinezs timely drive helped the streaking Tigers move within two games of first-place Cleveland in the AL Central.HELP WANTEDMike Napoli has homered in five straight games for Cleveland, matching Chris Davis and Jay Bruce for the longest streak in the majors this season. But the Indians have been wasting Napolis power surge lately, losing three consecutive home games to Minnesota while getting outscored 35-16. The last-place Twins aare 8-4 against the AL Central leaders this year and will go for a four-game sweep when left-hander Hector Santiago, acquired from the Angels at the trade deadline, makes his Minnesota debut in the series finale.dddddddddddd Mike Clevinger will be called up from Triple-A Columbus to start for Cleveland.NEW GIANTLeft-hander Matt Moore makes his first start for the San Francisco Giants in Philadelphia. The skidding NL West leaders acquired Moore from Tampa Bay for infielder Matt Duffy and two minor leaguers to help get back on track. Moores arrival has bumped veteran right-hander Jake Peavy to the bullpen.NOTHING FREECardinals pitcher Mike Leake (8-8) has a streak on the line when he faces his former Reds team for the second time. Leake hasnt walked a batter in his last 30 innings spanning five starts, a career best. Its the longest active streak in the majors and the second-longest this season behind Matt Shoemakers 30 1/3 innings without a walk for the Angels.ICHIRO UPDATEIchiro Suzuki lined out softly to shortstop as a pinch-hitter Wednesday during Miamis loss to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. He remained two hits shy of 3,000. Suzuki and the Marlins are off Thursday before opening a three-game series at Colorado on Friday night. ' ' '