Athletes from 87 nations paraded before 40,000 people in the Fisht Stadium before president Vladimir Putin declared the Games open Speed Dating .

 

The Olympic flame was lit by dermes Russian former triple gold medallists Vladislav Tretiak and Irina Rodnina as fireworks illuminated the night sky .

 

At a cost of £30bn, the Sochi Games is the most expensive Olympics in history .

 

The build-up to the Winter Olympics has been overshadowed by security fears, allegations of corruption, complaints from unpaid construction dermes workers and concern about the rights of sexual minorities in Russia.

 

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach used his welcome speech at the ceremony to promote Olympic values of diversity and non-discrimination.

Hide Comments | Add Comment