You're reading: Sochi to set up ice rink in Kensington Gardens

LONDON — Russia is taking over Kensington Gardens during the London Olympics to promote the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi.

Russian officials
say the 6,000-square-meter (64,000-square-foot) Sochi Park — including
an ice rink — will be located in front of the Albert Memorial.

Sochi
organizers described the site Thursday as “a winter wonderland in the
middle of a London summer.” The rink will host an ice show starring
several Russian Olympic and world champion skaters.

The Russians
previously sought to set up their Sochi pavilion at Marble Arch, but
that plan was rejected amid security and traffic concerns.

The
Russians Olympic Committee will have a 10,000-square-meter
(107,000-square-foot) hospitality center in Perks Field. Adjacent to
Kensington Palace, the site is used by the royal family as a sports
field and helicopter park.