A torch for the Sochi Winter Olympics has blasted blast off into space - as part of efforts to showcase next year's games in Russia.

A Soyuz rocket is delivering the torch to the International Space Station.

On Saturday, two Russian cosmonauts will take it on a historic first spacewalk. The torch will not be lit.

The event is part of a rebranding exercise by Russia, designed to portray it as a strong, modern country, says the BBC's Daniel Sandford in Baikonur.

The Soyuz rocket blasts off

(Source: BBC)