In pictures: Sochi Winter Olympics
- Published
The opening ceremony in Fisht Olympic Stadium kicked off the 22nd Winter Olympics, with about 3,000 dancers and actors performing a variety of acts during the ceremony. It included a dance around inflatables and moving depictions of the famous Saint Basil's Cathedral, which is now a museum in the centre of Moscow.
In addition to the dancing performances, the 40,000-strong crowd was treated to many spectacular light displays which lit up the stadium.
One of the light shows, however, caused some controversy when the fifth Olympic ring did not open correctly.
Critics said the standard of dancing and acting was outstanding during the ceremony. Among the performers was 11-year-old Liza Temnikova as Lyubov (Love) performing Voices of Russia.
The Olympic flame was lit by Russian former triple gold medallists Vladislav Tretiak and Irina Rodnina. The duo made the last leg of the torch relay that travelled through almost 3,000 towns and villages on its way to Sochi.
Moments later they lit the flame in the official Olympic cauldron.
Immediately following the lighting of the torch, a striking firework display lit up the night sky over the Fisht Olympic Stadium, which is also one of the chosen venues to host matches in the 2018 World Cup.
Britain's Jamie Nicholls performed a jump during the men's snowboard slopestyle final in in Rosa Khutor. There are 2,900 athletes, from 87 countries, competing at the Games.
Sage Kotsenburg of Team USA celebrates after winning gold in the men's snowboard slopestyle final.
Fans wrap up warm and add to the buzzing atmosphere while watching the men's snowboard slopestyle final. The total cost for Russia to host the Games has been £30bn, more than all the previous 21 Winter Olympics combined.
More fans cheering and waving Finnish flags during the Men's Snowboard Slopestyle final.
Other sports which have started include the men's singles Luge. South Korea's Park Jinyong and Cho Jung Myung practise during a Luge Doubles training session at the Sanki Sliding Centre.