The three-hour spectacular combined a tribute to
Olympism with a marvellous celebration of Russian history and culture
that involved a cast of thousands, including sporting icons, ballet
stars, acrobats and even cosmonauts - all set against a musical backdrop
of Russian classical music.
In the opening sequences of the Ceremony, the audience was treated to
an alphabetic evocation of great figures and moments in Russian
history, as a giant firework display lit up the Black Sea coastline.
Inside the stadium floating islands represented Russia’s vast and varied
landscape, from the volcanos of Kamchatka to the forests of the Urals
and Siberia’s icebound Lake Baikal. The stage was set for the entrance
of the Games’ main protagonists.
Breaking
with tradition, the Parade of Athletes, one of the central elements of
all Opening Ceremonies, took place at the start and not the finish of
the evening, setting the stage for a three-hour spectacle of music,
fireworks and breath-taking choreography.
One by one, the 87
delegations entered the Fisht Olympic Stadium to rapturous applause,
starting as ever with the Greek athletes and culminating with the host
nation, spearheaded by bobsleigh pilot, Alexander Zubkov.
Later,
the crowds were wowed by the entrance into the stadium of a 65-metre
long troika and a giant inflatable structure in the form Moscow’s iconic
St Basil’s Cathedral. Then, to the explosive sound of cannons, the vast
army of visionary 17th century tsar, Peter the Great took the stadium
by storm, followed by a depiction of the Russian Revolution of 1917.
Throughout the Ceremony, the music of Russia’s greatest classical
composers such as Tchaikovsky and Prokoviev resonated through the
stadium and beyond, providing a stirring backdrop.
The
Chairman of the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee, Dmitry Chernyshenko
was the first speaker to take the platform, as he welcomed athletes,
delegates and fans to the Russian city : “"Welcome to the 2014 Olympics
Winter Games in Sochi," he said. "Our city is unique, as all of Russia
is unique. It is the largest country in the world where Europe meets
Russia. We are proud to have the privilege to host the entire world."
A new page in Olympic historyIt was then the
turn of the International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach to
take centre stage, and he first praised the efforts of the organisers.
"Welcome to the XXII Olympic Winter Games. Tonight, we are writing a new
page in Olympic history.”
“What took decades in other parts of the world, has been achieved here in just seven years. This is a remarkable achievement.”
He went on to pay tribute to all of the ordinary Russians who, in the
spirit of “volunteerism,” had helped lay the foundations for Sochi
2014. "Thousands of volunteers have welcomed us with the well-known warm
Russian hospitality. Many thanks to all of the volunteers.”
The IOC President went on to address the athletes, with a stirring
reminder of their role as ambassadors for the Olympic ideals and of
Olympism: "Russia and the Russians have set the stage for you, the best
winter athletes on the planet. From this moment on, you are not only the
best athletes, you are Olympic athletes. You will inspire us with your
outstanding sports performances.”
“You have come here with your Olympic dream. The International
Olympic Committee wants your Olympic Dream to come true. This is why we
are investing almost all of our revenues in the worldwide development of
sports. The universal Olympic rules apply to each and every athlete -
no matter where you come from or what your background is.”
"Yes, it’s possible - even as competitors - to live together under
one roof in harmony ,with tolerance and without any form of
discrimination for whatever reason. Yes, it is possible - even as
competitors - to listen, to understand and to give an example for a
peaceful society."
"Olympic Games are always about building bridges to bring people
together. Olympic Games are never about erecting walls to keep people
apart. Olympic Games are a sports festival embracing human diversity in
great unity."
"Therefore I say to the political leaders of the world: Thank you for
supporting your athletes - they are the best ambassadors of your
country. Please respect their Olympic Message of good will, of
tolerance, of excellence and of peace. Have the courage to address your
disagreements in a peaceful, direct political dialogue and not on the
backs of these athletes."
Read the full text of the speech of IOC President Thomas Bach
At 22h26 local time, the IOC President then handed over to Russian
President Vladimir Putin, who, in time-honoured fashion, declared the
Games open. Soprano Anna Netrebko performed a moving rendition of the
Olympic Anthem before Russian short-track speed skater Ruslan Zakharov
stepped forward to take the Olympic oath on behalf of all the athletes,
while Vyacheslav Vedenin performed the same task for the judges, while
Anastasia Popkova took the oath on behalf of the coaches.
Russian legends light the cauldronAt
22:32 local time, the Olympic flag was borne into the stadium by eight
famous Russians, each prominent in a different field: cosmonaut
Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to travel into space, six-time
Olympic speed skating champion Lidiya Skoblikova, film director Nikita
Mikhailkov, actress Chulpan Khamatova, journalist Anastasia Popova, ice
hockey legend Vyacheslav Fetisov, conductor Valeriy Gergiev, and virtual
racing driving champion Alan Enileev.
The Olympic torch was then transported, relay style, by six legends
of Russian sport. First, tennis star Maria Sharapova, who herself hails
from Sochi, carried the flame into the stadium before handing it on to
pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva.
It
was then passed, in turn, to wrestling champion Aleksandr Karelin and
rhythmic gymnastics star Alina Kabayeva. Finally, it fell to former ice
skater Irina Rodnina and ice hockey keeper Vladislav Tretiak - both
triple Olympic gold medallists - to complete the final leg of the relay
and light the Olympic cauldron.
After a dramatic firework finale, the stage was set for 16 days of equally dramatic competition. Let the Games begin!
