Countdown to opening ceremony at Sochi 2014
Posted Feb 7, 2014 07:05:41 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Tens of thousands of people will pack Fisht Olympic Stadium to welcome the world’s top athletes, including the Canadian team, at the opening ceremony for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
The ceremony begins at noon Atlantic time.
Around 40,000 spectators are expected to attend the event at the multi-million-dollar stadium, where the Olympic Torch will end its roughly 60,000-kilometre journey — the longest-ever relay in the history of the games.
In terms of who will light the Olympic cauldron, there’s been speculation it could be President Vladimir Putin’s girlfriend Alina Kabaeva who is a rhythmic gymnast.
Ken McQueen with Maclean’s magazine, who is in Sochi covering the games, said the cauldron itself is spectacular.
“It’s a soaring sweeping torch … it’s going to be quite beautiful when they light that,” he said.
Sportsnet.ca reports the opening ceremony is expected to pay tribute to Russia’s rich cultural and artistic history.
Sochi 2014 has been deemed the most expensive Winter Olympics in history, with the cost pegged at around $50 billion.
Hayley Wickenheiser, who is making her sixth Olympic appearance, will be Canada’s flag-bearer during the parade of nations.
Marcel Aubut, president of the Canadian Olympic Committee, says Canada’s goal is to contend for the most medals over the next 16 days. Aubut said the 220 athletes representing Canada expect the highest from themselves.
At Vancouver 2010, Canada won a total of 26 medals and was third place in the medal count behind the United States and Germany. That year, Canada had the most gold medals with 14.
Some of the Canadian medals could come in the new events such as the men’s and women’s snowboard slopestyle and team figure skating.
Meantime, airline security has been ramped up in Russia. The U.S. has banned all liquids from carry-on luggage on flights bound for the games’ host nation over concern explosives could be smuggled on board.
Olympic organizers said athletes and tourists shouldn’t be concerned for their safety.
With files from Dave Zarum, Sportsnet.ca and The Canadian Press
