Fears were growing that the planned temporary ice rink would not appear at all after the original proposal from Sochi 2014 to base the structure at Marble Arch was rejected by Westminster City Council following objections from several groups including Transport for London (TfL), who warned it could create major traffic problems.

But the final plans released today by Sochi 2014 and the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) show that the ice rink will be in place at Russia.Sochi.Park from July 26 to August 12, in what will be the biggest Russian event ever to be held in the United Kingdom.

"We are delighted to be bringing Sochi to London and offering the world a flavour of what can be expected at the next Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Sochi 2014 President and chief executive Dmitry Chernyshenko, who confirmed to insidethegames earlier this year that the ice rink would appear at London 2012 despite the setbacks.

Russia.Sochi.Park comprises two sites at Kensington Gardens which are Russia.Park and Sochi.Park.


The ice rink, which is expected to attract around 8,000 people a day during the Olympics, will be situated in front of the famous Albert Memorial in the 6,000-square metre Sochi.Park.

The plan is for Sochi.Park to be a winter wonderland in the middle of the London summer, providing a high-tech visitor experience that takes guests through Russia to Sochi, using innovative interactive digital experiences including a 4D chairlift ride up the Krasnodar Mountains.

The ice arena will also host the biggest ice spectacular ever to be staged outside Russia as 'Sochi – Small Stories of a Big City' takes place starring Russian ice skating greats such Olympic champion Tatiana Navka.

Meanwhile, Russia.Park will be a summer festival-style fun park, spread over 10,000sq m in Perks Field.

It will be packed with Russian culture, cuisine and sport, including cameos by some of Russia's leading Olympians and performances by folk artists from all over Russia.


"The world is fascinated by Russia, and Russia.Sochi.Park offers an opportunity to really experience all the sights, tastes, sounds and people of Russia," said the ROC President Alexander Zhukov.

London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton also expressed his delight in seeing the final plans for Kensington Gardens this summer.

"I warmly welcome the Russian Olympic Committee to London, and look forward to Russia.Sochi.Park in London this summer," he said.

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