Russian organisers of next Winter Olympics in Sochi reveal plans to take Olympic Torch into space

A view of Sochi Park (GETTY IMAGES)

Sochi 2014 organising committee president Dmitry Chernyshenko has confirmed ambitious plans to take the Olympic torch into space for the first time.

Chernyshenko, who carried the torch on a leg through London today, promised the torch route ahead of the next Winter Olympics would be the longest in history.

Speaking at the opening of Sochi Park in Kensington, which will promote the Sochi experience to London visitors, Chernyshenko said: "We are planning to take the torch into space - and we will."

Other highlights of the expected 50,000km route, which will visit all 83 Russian districts and span nine zones, will be the peak of Europe's highest mountain Mount Elbrus, and the bottom of the world's deepest lake, Lake Baikal.

PA