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

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.

Liza Temnikova as Lyubov performs Voices of Russia during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

Snowflakes hover above performers of Voices of Russia.

Performers take part in the opening ceremony for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

One of the Olympic rings fails to open during the opening ceremony.

Athlete marshals light up to form a Russian flag.

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

Nordic combined skier Mario Stecher of the Austria Olympic team carries his country's flag during.

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

Russia's flag-bearer Alexander Zubkov leads his country's contingent.

Sochi 2014 mascots prepare to come on stage during the opening ceremony.

Characters perform during the opening ceremony.

Performers with balloons representing St. Basil's cathedral.

A scene showing the heritage of Russia is portrayed during the Opening Ceremony.

Performers are seen during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

Dancers perform during the Opening Ceremony.

A general view of atmosphere during the Opening Ceremony.

Artists perform during the opening ceremony.

Actors perform "Swan Lake" during the opening ceremony.

A performer dances during the opening ceremony.

The Olympic flag is paraded past the Russian flag.

Suspended figures representing different winter sports illuminate.

Performers take part in the opening ceremony.

Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova holds the Olympic Torch.

The Olympic Cauldron is lit during the opening ceremony.