From Bill Plaschke, at the Los Angeles Times, "
Sochi 2014: Opening ceremony lights a fire for Winter Olympics":
SOCHI, Russia — There were human doves twirling to Tchaikovsky, ballerinas waltzing with Tolstoy, and a prolonged roar for a Russian team wearing the coolest of fur-lined coats.
On a chilly night along the shores of the Black Sea, Russia welcomed the world to the Sochi Olympics on Friday with a giant embrace that was equal parts elegant, awkward and Putin.
The three-hour opening ceremony at Fisht Olympic Stadium highlighted the beauty of the Russian culture and strength of the Russian spirit. But it did little to lift the cloud of uneasiness hanging over a Games that began amid protests over Russian anti-gay laws and fear over terrorism. Somehow it seemed fitting when a set of floating snowflakes suddenly transformed themselves into Olympic rings — but only four of them. The fifth snowflake never changed.
Russian television viewers, however, saw all five rings, as the show's producer Konstantin Ernst recognized the malfunction shortly before it occurred and immediately ordered an image from rehearsals to be transmitted in its place.
"It would be ridiculous to focus on the ring that would not open," said Ernst later. "It would be silly."
During a ceremony that officially began the competition for 3,000 athletes competing in 15 sports, there were many other unvarnished moments of richness and regret. Both were experienced by a U.S.A. contingent that marched into the stadium wearing loud sweaters composed of so many different bits of stars, stripes and rings, they looked like a patriotic stock car.
The Russians stole that show, as their athletes marched into the arena wearing colorful blue and red coats and fur caps while music thumped and 40,000 fans rose to their feet to cheer and flash blinking blue lights. The ovation, march and music lasted for several long minutes. It felt like Staples Center when the Lakers take the court.
There were also loud cheers for the cool and dancing bobsledders from Jamaica, the Bermuda-shorts wearing contingent from — where else? — Bermuda, and the heavily bundled and extremely honest group from Iceland.
"Many think that because our country's name is Iceland, it is a country of snow and ice, but it isn't," said flag bearer Saevar Birgisson, a cross-country skier. "Iceland has never won a medal in the Winter Olympics and we will not win in Sochi either."
All were welcomed by a largely Russian crowd that seemed genuinely delighted by the experience. Unlike crowds in other Olympics, they clapped for everyone, booed nothing, and remained in their seats through the post-show fireworks.
"We are proud to have the privilege to host the entire world," said Dmitry Chernyshenko, president of the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee.
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