Russia.Park is adjacent to Sochi.Park, and will be open until August 12, giving a taste of Russia to visitors during the Games.

Sochi, in the south of Russia on the Black Sea coast, is hosting the next Olympics and Paralympics, in the winter of 2014.

Anyone wishing to enter Sochi.Park, where there is an ice arena as well as a simulation of a cable car through the Krasnaya Polyana mountain range, must have a ticket, while Russia.Park is free.

Russia.Park has a variety of activities, such as ice skating, ice hockey and curling, for guests to try their hands at.

Russia.Park is 10,000 square metres big in Perks Fields, and is packed with Russian culture, cuisine and sport, and tonight will show the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.

There will be appearances by Russian Olympic champions of the past and present at the Park.

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak and Sochi 2014 President Dmitry Chernyshenko were among those present to open Russia.Park this morning.

Sochi 2014 President Dmitry Chernyshenko, ROC President Alexander Zhukov and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak

Alexander Zhukov, President of the ROC, said: "Welcome here to this house of Russian hospitality in London.

"I do hope that the fans will come to Russia.Park to greet our Olympic champions.

"Of course we are going to watch the Olympics...fans will be able to do that on the big screen by the stage [here]."

"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.

"You are all welcome to Russia.Park."

Visitors flock to Russia.Park as it opened its doors this morning

Russia.Park is being hailed as the biggest Russian event ever taking place in the United Kingdom, and over the next fortnight an ice dancing spectacular, concerts and other entertainment will take place here.

"First of all I would like to welcome the fans who have come here to support our Olympic team," said Kozak.

"I would be more than happy to welcome all the Olympic champions who have come here to support the team as well.

"The best of wishes to all the visitors who are going to experience Russian culture here."

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Russia.Sochi.Park is open in Kensington Gardens in London. For more details, including on how to get your tickets, click here.