The Opening ceremonies did not go off without a hitch, but were pretty interesting nonetheless, even quite impressive at times. Good visual effects, lighting and pyrotechnics, and the athletes coming up out of the floor onto a night-lit map of the world was pretty cool.

The negatives -- One of the five rings did not materialize out of the snowflake it was supposed to, sort of remeniscient of the glitch in 2010 Vancouver with the one symbolic support not rising from the floor.
Also it was reported there were quite a few empty seats in the stadium, and that the crowd was somewhat subdued and underenthusiastic for the occasion.
The history that was presented was very much cherry-picked leaving out the Stalin years, the world wars, the oppression, etc.

The positives --- Visually stunning, great floor effects much like that of Vancouver 2010. The story the program took you through, through the eyes of the 12 yr old little girl was riveting. Most if not all of that presentation went off flawlessly.
The progression of famous athletes of past games and past times during the lighting of the torch, leading up to the great Tretiak who performed the final lighting, was uber impressive.
The fireworks display that started just as the Olympic flame went up was wild, as was the panoramic night view of Sochi all lit up.

All in all I have to say well done to the Russians. So far it's been pretty impressive. All the venues look to be well done as well. The hills, the slopes, the ice tracks, downhill runs, arenas, the stadium, etc etc. All of it looks awesome, at least from where I sit (which is pretty much in front of my TV).

Looking forward to getting into the meat of the matter tomorrow, and seeing some of these events get rolling. Let's see if Canada can 'own the podium' again like we did in 2010.

Is their beach volleyball in the winter olympics? Perhaps big breasted womens in bear skin bikinis? If not then count me out.

My thoughts exactly. The wife and I just finished watching the ceremonies on DVR.

Great to see Tretiak carry the torch. Ambled out pretty good for 61.

Some of the hottest women on the planet are in the winter Olympics. I'm sure those skimpy outfits the female ice skaters wear are an upskirt fetishist's dream for one thing.

HOCKEY

Men's --
Well it seems like only yesterday that all these teams (Russia, Czechs, Fins, etc) were just a squad of faceless drones that no one knew. Now we know almost all of them, they're as familiar as the Canada & US players. Every team has at least a few NHL'ers and/or well-known guys who carry the team. Take Slovenia for example, with their LA Kings guy Kopitar. Nice win for them over Slovakia earlier today. And poor Putin had to watch as his Russian squad of doom got beat by team USA in a shootout. That must have sucked for him.


Women's --
Some here probably turn their snoots up at it but I like the women's side and their brand of hockey. Very entertaining games. Team Japan got absolutely robbed in their 2-1 loss against Russia last week. The idiotic reffing in these women's games is what's the most damaging to their sport. Looking forward to the semi's and then the inevitable Canada-USA final for gold.


Great Olympics so far.

I like the girls athlete, in bikini suits

I don't care about Putin. However I have to admit that actually the USA have lost the game to Russia 3:2 :2 cents:

Russia got screwed with that dislodged net deal. And to come to find out that Quick dislodged the net is an added slap in the face. I don't understand how a team can dislodge their own net and no goal will count against them as long as nobody notices the net.

On the other hand the loss may have given Russia an easier path to the gold medal game. Can you imagine USA vs RUS for the gold? I can't imagine anything produced by the Superbowl, World Series, Stanley Cup or NBA Finals topping that. It could be the sporting event of the decade if it goes down.

It's so hot here i don't even have fell there are winter Olympic games:)

All I can say to that is sometimes the puck bounceth for you and sometimes it doesn't.

Had Russia's net been off it's moorings during any one of USA's goals it would have garnered the same result. Thus, the rule is at least equally unfair, not just against Russia.

I'm hearing there may be some changes to international rules soon, based on this tournament. Those nets need better pegs for one thing. And that stupid rule about no kicking the puck during a faceoff needs to go.

1. In Quick's defense he had no way of knowing that a goal was iminent. I don't think it was intentional at all.

2. The way the Russians are playing I'm not 100% sure they'll make it by the Fins, nevermind any gold medal game.

Totally agree on that.

Aren't you going to tell us the ACTUAL score in the Russia-Fins game? :winkwink: