Torch is lit for the run to cooled-down Olympics

The Olympic torch was lighted in ancient Olympia Thursday and will be carried by more than 2,000 runners, cyclists, and horsemen on the 3,040- mile journey to Moscow to inaugurate the summer games on July 19.

The number of countries that have accepted invitations to the games stood at 83 Thursday, while 42 have refused to attend and 20 have failed to reply, the International Olympic Committee reported.