The opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics has got underway in Sochi, as Russia launched one of the most expensive Games in history.
The Fisht Stadium was a carnival of lights and fireworks ahead of President Vladimir Putin's arrival to officially open the Olympics.
Marina Freri reports.
Music, dance and plenty of Russian bravado marked the beginning of Russia's first Winter Games in an arena packed with about 40,000 spectators.
United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, China's President Xi Jinping and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych are among the 40 world leaders, who also attended the bold ceremony.
The theme of the event was "Dreams of Russia" with a young girl named Lyubov guiding spectators through thousands of years of Russian history.
Tennis star Maria Sharapova, who spent part of her childhood in Sochi, carried the Olympic torch into the stadium.
While opening the ceremony, the International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach, said Sochi was making history.
"Mr President of the Russian federation, Mr Secretary General of the United Nations, dear Olympic friends and fans around the world: Welcome to the 22nd Winter Olympic Games. Tonight we are writing a new page in Olympic history."
Millions of spectators have watched the opening ceremony on television, while sports fans from around the world, like American visitor John Dempsey, have also flocked to Sochi to be part of the celebrations.
"Definitely very excited. I've been looking forward to this for the whole year since we started booking everything. So, we're excited to be here and be part of the Olympic Games"
Besides being the most expensive Winter Olympics in history, costing over 50-billion-dollars, the Games in Sochi have also managed to attract a record 3000 athletes who will compete in 98 events.
That is more people and contests than ever at the Winter Games.
While greeting the numerous teams, IOC President Bach said the Games would deliver an example of tolerance between nations.
Thanking world leaders for their support to the athletes, he's also urged them to leave their bickering out of the Games.
"Please respect their Olympic message of good will, excellence and peace. Have the courage to address your disagreements in political dialogue and not on the back of your athletes."
Despite the majestic display of arts, music and dance, the ceremony suffered an early glitch, when one of five illuminated snowflakes, that were to morph into the five Olympic rings inside the arena, failed to open.
