Sochi 2014

Despite all the negative concerns that some might have regarding various areas of the Sochi 2014 Olympics’, the opening ceremonies was not only impressive, it depicted the Country in a manner unlike no other.

While the opening was early for those living on Canada’s West Coast, it was worth getting up early for.

The parade of Olympic Athlete’s that graced the stage was well planned and everyone that took part is obviously proud of the Mother Country – Russia.

It all starts out when the sun set over the Caucasus Mountains and along the seashore just outside Fisht Stadium where you will see Russian TV star Yana Churikova shouted to a pre-show crowd still taking their seats: “Welcome to the centre of the universe!”

The theme consisted of Peter the Great, a somewhat small ballet show that was performed by ballet dancers including Nikolai Gogoa of Russia, which apparently are the best in Russia.

It also included a segment of World War II, Napoleon’s disastrous attempt to take the country and also shows all of the Russian history, apart from the revolution.

There was no mention of either Lenin or Stalin in the opening ceremonies as well they will also have a look back at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

The entire event is slotted to last 160 minutes, as well as feature 3,500 fireworks which works out to 21.9 fireworks per minute, or one firework every three seconds in duration.

Tennis star Maria Sharapova (who lived in Sochi), Heavyweight Boxer Nikolai Valuev, plus music from (soprano) Anna Netrebko, who will sing the Russian National Anthem, along with Piano player Denis Matsuev.

As the athletes enter in the traditional parade of Nations we will see some 3,000 compete in 98 events, far more than any previous Winter Games.

Women’s hockey star Haley Wickenheiser carried Canada’s flag in the ceremony and she was one of 221 athletes that went to Sochi and this is its largest team ever sent to any Winter Games.

it should be known that some athletes will not join the Canadian contingent in Fisht Olympic Arena for various reasons.

Canada’s flag in the ceremony was carried by Women’s hockey star Haley Wickenheiser, who stated “it was an absolute thrill.”

Athlete’s from a total of 88 Countries marched into the Olympic Stadium during the Parade of Nations and despite the size of the Country they represented, they will all do there Country Proud.