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 Jeff Hornacek Jazz Jersey . Now that hes hitting streaking teammates with pin-point passes for easy layups, Love is asserting himself as one of the true superstars in the league. Dante Exum Jersey . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. http://www.jazzauthentic.com/kids-jeff-hornacek-jazz-jersey/ . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. Karl Malone Jazz Jersey . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. John Stockton Jazz Jersey . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. Holden star Jamie Whincups 100th Supercars race win will have to wait after being denied by teammate Shane Van Gisbergen.The championship leader appeared to be heading for history in Saturdays opening race of the Ipswich SuperSprint at Queensland Raceway only to have Van Gisbergen snatch victory with two laps remaining.Van Gisbergen made the most of fresher tyres to pass Whincup on the 37th of 38 laps and claim his fourth victory of the season.Craig Lowndes finished third to complete Triple Eight Race Engineerings second podium clean sweep of the year.It means Whincup remains on 99 career victories heading into Sundays 200km race at the 3.12km circuit.Despite the disappointment of being pipped at the end, Whincup took a philosophical approach to the result.The Red Bull Racing driver stormed from third to first in the opening lap but admitted hed been battling to keep his rivals at bay.Story of my day - I just wasnt quick enough, he said.Bolted off the line and got to the front and was just a mobile chicane from there ... Shane was coming on pretty hard. He was always going to get us.Van Gisbergens third win from his past four starts means hhe trails Whincup on the championship standings by a mere 41 points.ddddddddddddIn his first season as Whincups teammate, he says he feels hes coping well with the added pressure of racing a car from the same stable in the title battle.I think Im normally quite calculated nowadays with those things, he said.I try and be clean and race everyone hard and fair.Ive been enjoying it - all the battles have been clean and hard.Van Gisbergens victory capped a dramatic day which started with Fords Scott Pye suffering a brake failure and arrowing off track at more than 200km/h during practice.Pye walked away unharmed from his wrecked Falcon, which had its front end rebuilt in time to take part in the race in a mammoth effort by his team and finished 21st.There was also a highlight for New Zealander Chris Pither, who secured the first pole position of his Supercars career in a shock qualifying result before finishing 11th in the race.Sundays action begins with qualifying from 11.35am before the 65-lap race starts at 2.05pm. ' ' '