Nagano leg of Torch Relay begins

Senichi Hoshino (R), manager of the Japan national baseball team, is the first runner of 80 torchbearers during the 16th leg of the Olympic Torch Relay started at 8:30 a.m. local time Saturday morning in Nagano, Japan.

NAGANO, Japan, April 26 (Xinhua) -- The 16th leg of the Olympic Torch relay started at 8:30 a.m. local time Saturday morning in Nagano, Japan.

Senichi Hoshino, manager of the Japan national baseball team, was the first of 80 torchbearers who will carry the flame along an 18.7-kilometer-long route that covers most of the city's famous historical sites and modern landmarks