St. Petersburg Vice-Governor Sergei Tarasov received the Olympic torch from the delegation's deputy official, Itar-Tass reported Thursday.

The deputy said his group had anticipated spending time in the historically rich city and that Russia is the home of distinguished athletes who will be warmly greeted at the Beijing Olympic Games.

The 80 people who now are set to carry the torch in Russia will be given coaching and uniforms Friday to begin the relay Saturday in Victory Square, the report said. They will stop in Palace Square in St. Petersburg.

Prior to the relay, the torch will be guarded in the Park Inn hotel in St. Petersburg.