Opening ceremony marks start of Winter Olympics with all eyes on Russia
The 2014 Winter Games got off to a shaky start on Friday when one of the five Olympic rings failed to open at the start of the opening ceremony, meaning the symbol could not be illuminated with fireworks as planned.
- Dancers perform Moskva/The Dream during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
- Dancers perform Natasha Rostova’s First Ball during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
- Maria Sharapova carries the Olympic torch into the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
- A scene showing the heritage of Russia is portrayed during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi. (Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images)
- Performers dance during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 7, 2014. (REUTERS/David Gray)
- Athletes from the USA participate in the athlete march during the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports)
- Roller skaters perform during the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports)
- “Lubov” (Love), the main character featured in the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics, is suspended over performers in classic Russian costumes at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia, Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. (Chuck Myers/MCT)
- Olympic mascots the Polar Bear waves during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
- A map of Germany is projected onto the stadium floor as athletes march in during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Pawel Kopczynski)
- A troika enters the stage followed by a sun during the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports)
- A set with ancient-like pillars floats past the audience duringf the Opening Ceremony for the Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia, Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. (Chuck Myers/MCT)
- Performs in classic Russian costumes perform during the Opening Ceremony for the Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia, Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. (Chuck Myers/MCT)
- Performers are seen during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Mark Blinch)
- Performers during the St. Basil’s segment during opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports)
- Dancers perform with inflated objects during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
- The national delegations parade during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi. (Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images)
- Germany’s flag bearer, alpine skier Maria Hoefl-Riesch, leads her national delegation during the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi. (John Macdougall/AFP/Getty Images)
- Performers costumed in illuminated red, white and blue outfits form the Russian national flag during the Opening Ceremony for the Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia, Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. (Chuck Myers/MCT)
- Snowflakes are moved into position to form the Olympic rings during the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports)
- Todd Lodwick leads the delegation from the USA during the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Jerry Lai/USA TODAY Sports)
- Reindeer stand near gurs as a Russian rural landscape scene floats past during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi. (Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images)
- Scenes from some of the seven islands that represent the diversity of Russia float past during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi. (Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images)
- Liza Temnikova as Lyubov performs during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
- Liza Temnikova as Lyubov performs Voices of Russia during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
- Performers take part in the opening ceremony for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics February 7, 2014. (REUTERS/David Gray)
- Liza Temnikova performs during the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports)
- United States flag bearer Todd Lodwick leads the U.S. Olympic team onto the stage during the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports)
- United States flag bearer Todd Lodwick leads the U.S. Olympic team onto the stage during the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium.(Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports)
- Liza Temnikova performs during the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports)
- Poland’s flag-bearer Dawid Kupczyk leads his country’s contingent during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Mark Blinch)
- Great Britain’s flag bearer, speed skater Jon Eley, leads his delegation during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi. (Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images)
- Snowboarder Alex Pullin of the Australia Olympic team carries his country’s flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
- Italy’s flag-bearer Armin Zoeggler (centre R) holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics February 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Pawel Kopczynski)
- German athletes wave during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 7, 2014. (REUTERS/David Gray)
- Women in traditional dress dance while viewing the opening ceremonies for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games on a video screen at a live site in the mountain cluster. (Guy Rhodes/USA TODAY Sports)
- General view of Bolshoy Ice Dome prior to the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. (Jeff Swinger/USA TODAY Sports)
- The Olympic cauldron is pictured moments before the start of Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi. (Loic VenanceAFP/Getty Images)
- The Ministry of Internal Affairs choir sings “Get Lucky” in the pre-show ahead of the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
- Russian band Tokio performs during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
- A member of Austria’s delegation lies on the ground after falling during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi. (Andrej Isakovic/AFP/Getty Images)
- Azerbaijan’s flag-bearer Patrick Barchner leads his country delegation during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games at Fisht stadium February 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)
- The colours of the Russian flag are seen during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Mark Blinc)
- Austria’s flag-bearer Mario Stecher leads his country’s contingent during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 7, 2014. (REUTERS/David Gray)
- The Austrian dlegation enters the stadium led by flag bearer, nordic combined skier Mario Stecher during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi. (Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images)
- Greece’s flag bearer, cross-country skier Panagiota Tsakiri enters the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi. (Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images)
- Cross country skier Panagiota Tsakiri of the Greece Olympic team carries her country’s flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
- Russian Federation president Vladimir Putin waves to the crowd during the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports)
- The voices of Russia segment of the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports)
- Giant snowflakes are seen during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 7, 2014. (REUTERS/David Gray)
- Four of five Olympic Rings are seen lit up during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson)
- Snowflakes transform into four Olympic rings with one failing to form during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
- Liza Temnikova performs during the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports)
- The countdown to the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports)
- Fans walk in Olympic Park prior to the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports)
- Fans walk in Olympic Park prior to the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports)
- Fans walk in Olympic Park prior to the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports)
- A young girl performs during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi. (Andrej Isakovic/AFP/Getty Images)
- Yulia Volkova and Lena Katina of t.A.T.u. perform during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi. (Andrej Isakovic/AFP/Getty Images)
- Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (R) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach (L) attend a reception before the 2014 Winter Olympic Games opening ceremony in Sochi, February 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Alexei Nikolsky/RIA Novosti/Kremlin)
- Pre-ceremony festivities prior to the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports)
- Pre-ceremony festivities prior to the opening ceremony for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports)
- A military choir performs during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi. (Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images)
- Singers from “The Voice” Russia perform during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
- People look out towards the Bolshoi Ice Dome as they arrive for the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
- A general view of sunset at the Olympic Park during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
- General view of Rosa Khutor village in the mountain cluster captured with a tilt shift lens before the opening ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. (Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports)
- A scenic image of cauldron before lighting at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Fisht Olympic Stadium. (Jeff Swinger/USA TODAY Sports)
- A man prays on Kiev’s Independence Square on February 7, 2014. Ukraine’s embattled president, Viktor Yanukovych, flew to Sochi late Thursday for crisis talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics. (Martin Bureau/AFP/Getty Images)
- Landscapers work near the Olympic Park train stop hours in Sochi, Russia hours before the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/MCT)
In what appeared to be a technical glitch, five giant snowflake-shaped structures suspended from the roof of the 40,000-capacity Fisht Stadium in Sochi failed to unfurl into a circle, and the sequence had to be abandoned.
The show went on with no further interruptions, and cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev, who has spent more days in space than anyone, hoisted the Russian flag as performers dressed in glowing red, blue and white lights formed a living flag.
Athletes emerged from beneath the stage up a ramp for the traditional parade, and a giant satellite image of each nation taken from space was projected onto the floor.
The crowd cheered them around the track, and light boxes on seats in the stands created a dazzling visual backdrop.
Before the symbol hiccup, a young girl in white dress soared into the air, lifted by a harness, and sang as islands representing different parts of Russia with folktale scenes drifted dreamlike across the stadium.
The spectacular, officially launching the Feb. 7-23 Games, began at 2014 local time (1614 GMT), and minutes later a burst of fireworks lit up the clear night sky outside the gleaming new stadium located on the shores of the Black Sea.
The state-of-the-art arena, one of several construction projects that have swelled the budget of the Winter Games to a record $50 billion, holds 40,000 people, and President Vladimir Putin was joined by more than 40 world leaders.
Millions more will watch on television and via the Internet as Russia hosts its first Winter Olympics, an event Putin has staked his reputation on. – Reuters
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Feb 10, 2014 @ 03:07:22
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