Opening Ceremony Photos: Sochi Winter Olympics

Irina Rodnina and Vladislav Tretyak light the Olympic cauldron while fireworks explode during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Feb. 7, 2014.Robert Cianflone—Getty Images

Liza Temnikova as Lyubov performs Voices of Russia during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.Quinn Rooney—Getty Images

Snowflakes hover above performers of Voices of Russia.Quinn Rooney—Getty Images

Performers take part in the opening ceremony for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.David Gray—Reuters

One of the Olympic rings fails to open during the opening ceremony.David J. Phillip—AP

Athlete marshals light up to form a Russian flag.Richard Heathcote—Getty Images

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, left, applaud during the playing of the Russian national anthem.David Goldman—AP

Nordic combined skier Mario Stecher of the Austria Olympic team carries his country's flag during.Richard Heathcote—Getty Images

Todd Lodwick of the United States waves his national flag and enters the arena with teammates.Charlie Riedel—AP

Russia's flag-bearer Alexander Zubkov leads his country's contingent.Issei Kato—Reuters

Sochi 2014 mascots prepare to come on stage during the opening ceremony. Stanislav Krasilnikov—ITAR-TASS/ZUMA Press

Characters perform during the opening ceremony.David J. Phillip—AP

Performers with balloons representing St. Basil's cathedral.Clive Mason—Getty Images

A scene showing the heritage of Russia is portrayed during the Opening Ceremony.Damien Meyer—AFP/Getty Images

Performers are seen during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.Mark Blinch—Reuters

Dancers perform during the Opening Ceremony.Pascal Le Segretain—Getty Images

A general view of atmosphere during the Opening Ceremony.Clive Mason—Getty Images

Artists perform during the opening ceremony.Petr David Josek—AP

Actors perform "Swan Lake" during the opening ceremony.David J. Phillip—AP

A performer dances during the opening ceremony.Issei Kato—Reuters

The Olympic flag is paraded past the Russian flag.Issei Kato—Reuters

Suspended figures representing different winter sports illuminate.Pawel Kopczynski—Reuters

Performers take part in the opening ceremony.Mark Blinch—Reuters

Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova holds the Olympic Torch.Brian Snyder—Reuters

The Olympic Cauldron is lit during the opening ceremony.Darron Cummings—AP

See Photos of the Opening Ceremony Before You Can See Them on TV

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