THE official countdown to this year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics began Thursday when the torch was lit at the site of the ancient Games, with organizers hoping it will shift attention away from Brazil’s political and financial turmoil.

    On a glorious spring day with the sun burning hot above 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 and Brazilian double Olympic volleyball champion Giovane Gavio was due to be the second runner.

    A refugee will also carry the torch during the Greek leg of the relay before Brazilian organizers receive it in a handover at the Panathenian stadium April 27 in Athens, site of the first modern Olympics in 1896.

    Brazil will start its relay 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 Aug. 5-21, have been plagued by problems and a shortage of cash for organizers as the country is experiencing its worst recession in decades.

    (SD-Agencies)