David Goldman/AP
Two years ago, the Queen of England jumped out of a plane with James Bond. Mr. Bean played the theme from Chariots of Fire on piano. A plethora of Mary Poppins descended from the sky, umbrellas and all.
What will Sochi have in store when the Opening Ceremonies kick off at 11amEST/8amPST? More entertainment, more fireworks and less athletes walking around.
#sochi opening ceremonies will have 3,000 performers, 2,000 volunteers and 22.5 tonnes of fireworks. 160 minutes long. @MacleansMag
— Ken MacQueen (@kmqyvr) February 7, 2014
#sochi #openingceremonies head promises to fast-foward the athletes’ march usually “the longest and most boring part” #Thankyou — Ken MacQueen (@kmqyvr) February 7, 2014
Will Putin ape Queen Liz and jump from a chopper @ #OpeningCeremony ? “We shouldn’t be hoping too much for that,” says ceremony head #sochi — Ken MacQueen (@kmqyvr) February 7, 2014
All Russian history jammed into 21/2 hours of #OpeningCeremony. It includes an “avant garde” take on the Russian Revolution. Can’t wait.
— Ken MacQueen (@kmqyvr) February 7, 2014
Russian duo t.A.T.u (of the girl-kissing-girl video) will perform at #sochi #OpeningCeremony Putin ain’t gonna like that. Or maybe he will?
— Ken MacQueen (@kmqyvr) February 7, 2014
Russian opera star Anna Netrebko to sing Olympic anthem at opening, director says. #Sochi2014
— Paul Waldie (@pwaldieGLOBE) February 7, 2014
Canada’s flagbearer will be women’s hockey star Hayley Wickenheiser, a three-time gold medallist competing in her fifth Olympics.
Tick tock….the Olympic countdown clock! #sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/byELc2ceiW — Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) February 7, 2014
nice to see the bobbers and other athletes from the mntn and coastal villages at lunch today. The entire @CDNOlympicTeam is gearing up! 7hrs — Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) February 7, 2014
And she won’t be the only hockey player leading out her country, former Ottawa Senators defenceman and current Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara will walk out with the Slovakian flag.
The tallest flag-bearer of them all has arrived in Sochi, Russia. Welcome Zdeno Chara. pic.twitter.com/O4a9EYyVJN — Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 7, 2014
Much of the focus will also be on Russian President Vladimir Putin, but don’t except to hear too much from in terms of a speech.
IOC head says Putin will get to say exactly 1 sentence at Opening Ceremony per Oly Charter. #Sochi2014 — Jonathon Gatehouse (@JonGatehouse) February 7, 2014
@JonGatehouse Putin says sentence will be 30 pages long. — Matt Galloway (@mattgallowaycbc) February 7, 2014
With no sporting events scheduled for today, journalists also got to spend time wondering about just how much surveillance is focused on them. When reporters arriving in Sochi were quick to point out the less-than-pristine rooms—brown tap water, missing shower curtains, toilets that can’t flush toilet paper—#sochiproblems started trending on Twitter. But then Russian officials snapped back at critics saying they were being sabotaged.
“We have surveillance video from the hotels that shows people turn on the shower, direct the nozzle at the wall and then leave the room for the whole day,” said Dmitry Kozak, the deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Games, according to the Wall Street Journal.
If you’re just waking up in Canada, Russia may be watching us shower in Sochi, the poor devils: http://t.co/XaxMYLUfEb — Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) February 7, 2014
If journalists are leaving their #Sochi showers on all day it’s probably because the handle came off in their hands. — Jonathon Gatehouse (@JonGatehouse) February 7, 2014
@JonGatehouse makes it easier for the spy cam to see you. @bruce_arthur — Alheli Picazo (@a_picazo) February 7, 2014
Media tweets about hotels aren’t complaints, they’re relevant facts about how $51 bil was misspent. #sochi2014problems #sochi2014 — Sally Jenkins (@sallyjenx) February 7, 2014
But for the athletes and fans, today is all about the Opening Ceremonies, and the Olympic spirit on display.
Opening ceremonies tonight! One of my greatest memories is walking into the 2010 opening ceremonies. #WeAreWinter #Sochi2014
— Justin Kripps (@justinkripps) February 7, 2014
Heading down to the coast village for opening ceremonies! @JesseLumsden28 @BobsledKaillie #Sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/5DuvdvWRdm
— Justin Kripps (@justinkripps) February 7, 2014
