
Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Fireworks explode over Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia, as the Olympic cauldron is lit during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Games on Friday, February 7.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Two of Russia's greatest athletes, Irina Rodnina and Vladislav Tretiak, light the Olympic cauldron. Rodnina was a three-time gold medalist in figure skating. Tretiak won three golds as goalie of the Soviet hockey team.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Russian tennis player and Olympic silver medalist Maria Sharapova, left, passes the Olympic torch to pole-vaulting legend Yelena Isinbayeva.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Russian soprano Anna Netrebko sings the Olympic Anthem.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Olympic flag bearers carry the flag onto the floor during the opening ceremony.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Skier Todd Lodwick carries the American flag during the opening ceremony.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
U.S. skier Heidi Kloser tore knee ligaments and broke her femur during a warm-up run earlier in the day.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
The U.S. Olympic team enters the stadium.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
The Norwegian Olympic team enters.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Russia's delegation parades through the stadium.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Members of Italy's delegation wave to the crowd.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco enjoy the atmosphere.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Germany's flag bearer, skier Maria Hoefl-Riesch, leads the German delegation.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Members of the Bosnia and Herzegovina delegation enter the stadium.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
A man watches the live telecast of the opening ceremony in downtown Sochi.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
The French delegation enters the stadium.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
French Olympians take pictures.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Members of the German delegation wave during the opening ceremony.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Great Britain's flag bearer, short-track speed skater Jon Eley, waves as he leads the British delegation.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
The Canadians, led by hockey player Hayley Wickenheiser, enter the stadium.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Snowboarder Alex Pullin of the Australian Olympic team carries his country's flag during the opening ceremony.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
The sun follows horses during the opening ceremony. The theme of the ceremony was "Dreams of Russia."

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
People move as a boat is projected across the floor of the stadium.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Performers dance during the ceremony.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Performers skate around the stadium floor during the ceremony.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Artists perform during the ceremony.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Ballet dancer Diana Vishneva performs during the ceremony.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Dancers are seen during the ceremony.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Dancers perform a scene portraying the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
A girl performs during the event.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Text is projected on the floor of the stadium.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Britain's Princess Anne, center, talks with people upon arriving for the opening ceremony.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Performers in illuminated red, white and blue outfits prepare to form the Russian national flag.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Dancers perform during the ceremony.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
A scene from the dancers' performance.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Dancers during the ceremony.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Performers sing during the event.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Performers take their places inside the packed stadium.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin, right.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
A girl takes a "magical kite ride through history" during the opening ceremony.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
A general view of the stadium during the opening ceremony.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Putin waits to be introduced at the ceremony.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Performers' jackets light up to form the Russian flag.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
The Olympic rings are presented during the opening ceremony -- but there seemed to be a malfunction on the top right ring.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
The Russian Interior Ministry choir performs before the opening ceremony.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
Before the start of the ceremony, the sun sets behind delegation flags.

Winter Olympics opening ceremony —
A spectator poses for a photo as she arrives for the opening ceremony.


