Sochi by Two Blog #3: Opening Ceremony Day

By Adelaide Ponte Usdin and Wendy Ponte

Finally after a huge nights sleep we woke up and went to breakfast! The hotel redeemed itself quite a bit because the food was really good. Everything from cheese to bread was there. Our favorite was the cabbage!

We were able to spend a bit of time wandering around the Park before heading over to Fisht Arena for the Opening Ceremonies. We ate crepes filled with cheese and hot mulled non-alcoholic wine. Although it is certainly warmer here than home in Connecticut, it’s been chilly enough for our down coats, so hot liquid is good!

We watched some Russian folk dancing. Now we know where the term “Russian splits” comes from! It’s easy to see where the Russian skater’s strength came from–at least for the men. Talk about strong quads….

There are a lot of stray dogs here. We heard that the authorities where shooting a lot of them in the days before the games began, but there are still a lot around. We see them from the train windows, and amazingly, right in the Park! There were three cute ones right near the folk dancing pavilion, hungry for both food and attention. It’s sad for us, being dog lovers.
The Opening Ceremony was a spectacular show, as expected. Two things really popped out for us. First, the entrance of the athletes was very near to the beginning of the event. Usually we see this later in the show, but we liked that they were there almost from the start. This way it is really more about them, and they are there with us for the whole show. And, of course, they get to see it too!

Second was the speech by IOC President, Thomas Bach. He emphasized, over and over again, the importance of accepting diversity in all athletes. He could not have been clearer in his message to Putin, without actually using his name or mentioning the issues of discrimination against gay athletes. He also specifically spoke against using the games for political agendas. We were both moved and grateful to him for this.

Then there was the spectacle! The ceremony showcased Russia’s history, and it was done with true flair! Much of the story was told with dance, as well, from the days of the Grand Waltz to ballet to gymnastic dance. And there were massive amounts of those dancers! It was truly mind boggling to think of the rehearsal and coordination involved in this. We loved it!

There were also fireworks indoors, and lots of them! At the end, the Torchbearers, Vladislav Tretiak and Irina Rodnina (pairs skater who won Olympic Gold three years in a row) actually ran out of the stadium, past a runway comprised of all of the performers, and out to the torch itself. This set off a torrent of fireworks, both inside and outside the stadium. Because the roof of the stadium is translucent, we could see the flash of colors happening outside.

All in all, it was a thoroughly satisfying and stunning day! Unfortunately getting back to the hotel was painfully difficult once again, for us and probably many others. In a day from now we will move to one that is much closer to the Park and we look forward to that!