Vladimir Putin's Olympic journey

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) listens to Russian pole vault champion and Olympic village mayor Yelena Isinbayeva at the Olympic village in Sochi on February 5, 2014, two days ahead of the opening ceremony. — Image caption,
Prior to the start of the Games, Russian President Vladimir Putin was taken on a tour of the Olympic village by Russian pole vault champion and Olympic village mayor Elena Isinbayeva.

SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 06: President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach (L) shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin before the IOC Gala Dinner on the eve of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 6, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Putin shakes hands with Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, on the eve of the Winter Olympics.

SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 07: Russian President Vladimir Putin waits in the presidential lounge to be introduced at the opening ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics as a television screen displays five Olympic rings at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Putin waits in the presidential lounge to be introduced at the opening ceremony. Russian broadcaster Rossiya 1 spared Putin's embarrassment by cutting away to rehearsal footage of the five rings coming together, whilst most of the world saw a fifth ring get stuck.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin declares the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics open during the opening ceremony at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi.

Six years on from winning the bid, Putin declares the Winter Olympics open as the world's eyes are on the Russian President during the opening ceremony.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with Evgeni Plushenko (L), Yulia Lipnitskaia (2nd L) and other Russian figure skaters after watching the Women's Figure Skating Team Free Program at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 9, 2014.

Putin congratulates the women's figure skating team, including Evgeni Plushenko and 15-year-old Yulia Lipnitskaya, who went on to help Russia win gold.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin poses for a photo with volunteers during the men's cross-country 4 x 10 km relay event at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics on February 16, 2014.

Putin asked the 25,000 volunteers to create a unique atmosphere for the Games, describing this as "one of the most important things in the programme”.

President Vladimir Putin (2nd R) visits Russian freestyle skier Maria Komissarova in a hospital in Sochi on February 15, 2014. 23-year-old Maria Komissarova sustained a broken back in a fall while training on the ski-cross course during the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games .

Putin visits Russian freestyle skier Maria Komissarova in hospital, after the 23-year-old sustained a broken back in a fall while training on the ski-cross course.

Slovakia's President Ivan Gasparovic, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich and Medvedev's press secretary Natalya Timakova watch the Men's Ice Hockey Group A match between Russia and Slovakia at the Bolshoy Ice Dome in Sochi during the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 16, 2014.

A big ice hockey fan, Putin has little to smile about as Russia's men were eventually knocked out in the quarter-finals, losing 3-1 to Finland.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin , Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko (L) watch the men's cross-country 4 x 10 km relay event at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics on February 16, 2014.

Putin watches the men's cross-country 4x10km relay with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko.

Members of protest group Pussy Riot speak during a press conference on February 20, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Protest group Pussy Riot defy Putin’s ban on protests in Sochi, filming an anti-Putin video which they then release on the internet.

A poster of Russian Vladimir Putin reading "For Motherland, for Russia, for Sovereignty" at a pro-government demonstration in Sochi.

A poster of Putin reading "For Motherland, for Russia, for Sovereignty" is seen at a pro-government demonstration in Sochi.

A Russian flag with the message "Thank you, Putin!" written across it is carried through the Olympic Park ahead of the closing ceremony

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) stands during the Closing Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympic

Putin stands between IOC President Thomas Bach and Russia's bobsleigh gold medallist Alexander Zubkov as the Sochi Games end with a spectacular closing ceremony

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