Olympic Torch entered Sochi’s arena. The first bearer of the flame at Fisht Stadiumis was tennis star Maria Sharapova. (Scroll down for link to lengthy video with the Opening Ceremony)
Olympic torch cauldron was lit by figure skater Irina Rodnina and hockey goalie Vladislav Tretiak
She handed over the torch to Yelena Gadzhievna Isinbayeva, a Russian pole vaulter, two-time Olympic gold medalist, three-time World Champion and current holder of world record holder in the event.
The flame was passed on to torchbearers wrestler Alexander Karelin and controversial gymnast Alina Kabaeva, who is rumored to have a relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Finally, figure skater and former triple Olympic champion Irina Rodnina and ex-hockey player Vladislav Tretiak, left Fisht Stadium taking the flame to the Olympic Park where they lit the Olympic Torch cauldron thus giving the official start of the 2014 Sochi Winter Games. So, Putin’s alleged girlfriend did not light the Olympic Torch!!!
Do you remember Irina Rodnina? If not then let’s refresh your mind. She is actually the former Russian gold medal-winning figure skater who posted on Twitter a racially insensitive engineered picture with the United States President Barack Obama and the First Lady.
The controversial photo, which Rodnina revealed in a September 2013 tweet before deleting it swiftly, featured the image of a banana superimposing the picture of Obama, who was seated near his wife with his mouth full of food.
Extended Video Sochi Olympics Opening Ceremony (Dutch Language Commentary)
Video: Sochi Olympics 2014. The Winter Games Have Started. Preview Day 1
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