London Latest - Sochi Plans; IOC Ad; 1996 Reunion

Sochi in London

The biggest ice spectacular outside of Russia, a "4D chairlift ride" and more than 100,000 square feet of entertainment space will comprise Sochi 2014 and the Russian Olympic Committee’s hospitality efforts in London.

On Thursday, the organizing committee unveiled details for its Russia.Sochi.Park in Kensington Gardens, a joint effort with the ROC.

Russia.Park will be "a summer festival-style fun park," a statement says, with Russian cuisine and sport.

"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," ROC president Alexander Zhukov said.

To promote the Winter Olympics, Sochi.Park will have a "winter wonderland in the middle of a London summer, providing a high-tech visitor experience that takes guests through Russia to Sochi."

Included is a virtual chairlift up the Krasnodar mountains and "Sochi – Small Stories of a Big City", described as the biggest ice spectacular outside of Russia.

"We are delighted to be bringing Sochi to London and offering the world a flavor of what can be expected at the next Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Sochi 2014 president and CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko.

New IOC Ad

The IOC unveiled a new "Show Your Best" advertisement ahead of the London Olympics.

A statement from the IOC says the commercial is "the first time user-generated content has been intermixed and put on the same stage with Olympians in a TV commercial."

Amateur footage of sport being practiced creates a collage on top of Olympic highlights including Usain Bolt in the 100m final from Beijing.

The IOC says the ad will be shown throughout Olympic social media, London’s Olympic venues and live sites, as well as on television.

1996 Reunion for 2012 Olympics

A reunion of officials from the 1996 Olympics is taking place to promote the 2012 Games in London.

Called "Walk to London 2012", the event will take place at Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park on June 23. Following speeches from ACOG COO A.D. Frazier and others, a walk will take place around the park.

"We are excited to get the Olympic community together again," said Dennis Berkholtz, presiding president of the Georgia Olympians and Paralympians Association, the group organizing the event. "This event is to honor that legacy and to recognize the extraordinary Olympians and Paralympians living among us."

"The Walk to London 2012 event here in Atlanta is a great way for everyone to play a part in the London 2012 experience and I am excited to be part of it," said Annabelle Malins, Atlanta’s British Consul General."

Walk to London events will take place in 20 other cities in the U.S. as well.

63 Countries Confirmed for Sailing

A total of 63 countries will be represented at the London 2012 sailing regatta.

The announcement was made by the International Sailing Federation on Wednesday.

"At Beijing 2008 we had 400 sailors from 62 nations and at London 2012 we will see 380 sailors representing 63 nations," said ISAF technical delegate Alastair Fox.

The Olympic sailing competition will be held at Weymouth and Portland on the south coast of England.

Team Australia Gets Technical Support

Plans for facilities that will provide additional support to Team Australia athletes and coaches in London were unveiled Thursday.

The establishment of the Green and Gold Performance Analysis Facility and the Fitness First Recovery Center were among the initiatives announced by Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates and Australian sports minister Kate Lundy.

Located inside the Westfield Shopping Center, a Team Australia sponsor, the Green and Gold Performance Analysis Facility will allow for video analysis and editing, while the Fitness First Recovery Center will have equipment for hydrotherapy and physiotherapy.

Female Gymnasts Selected to Team Australia

The five female artistic gymnasts who will represent Australia in London were announced Thursday.

They are Georgia Bonora, Ashleigh Brennan, Emily Little, Larrissa Miller and Lauren Mitchell.

"The selection process was a difficult one as the caliber of athletes to select from was extremely high," head coach Peggy Liddick said in a statement. "The final twelve all competed at a high level through the second round trial with a new standard being set."

Pin Points

The last Pacific Pin Club meeting before the London Olympics will take place this weekend. The event is free to all and will include storytelling, fun as well as, of course, pin trading. For more information, click here.

Written by Ed Hula III and Hannah Reid.

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