The Winter Olympics. Sochi. 18 days. Win-Lose-Greatness. The winter Olympics are upon us once again. NBC and Bob Kastas opened the games this past Friday and these Olympic games will be more than just games. The games are involved a lot more with the political side of things this time around and it will also include a host country that has many things to prove to the world, despite the political rampage. But enough about politics, these are the games. This is the time for athletes and countries to show who really is the best.

As the opening ceremony got under way, it was a matter of minutes that would set Russia apart from the rest of the world as they showed what they deemed “transcending.” The opening ceremony’s stadium, Fisht Stadium, holds about 40,000 people and will be only used twice. Yes, you heard correctly, twice. Once for the opening ceremony and the other for the closing ceremony. This is only 1 of 11 new venues built for the winter games. In this stadium, the beginning of the games opened up with segments of Russia’s history told by a young girl, through the visual of dreams. The creative team referenced Russia’s people as “dreamers.” The size of the set pieces that were moved were enormous. They were moved on a conveyer belt that operated across the ceiling. It took precision and precise planning to set everything up in the correct order and to be able to get the correct set pieces out for the historical dream scenes. As the first segment wrapped up, there was an unpredictable malfunction that occurred. One of the symbolic rings for the Olympic logo did not unveil itself as it was supposed to, leaving this year’s Winter Olympics down a ring.

As the kickoff of the Winter Olympics was coming to a close before the walkout of the athletes and the rest of the entertainment, president Putin of Russia entered the stadium and waved to the crowd of 40,000. Many tag lines to this year’s games are catchy, but not as catchy as “Putin’s games.” The president worked night and day and lobbied forever in favor of getting the winter games to Russia. Many say he had another agenda, but one that mainly had the goal of redeeming Russia. As many Presidents help support their country if they are the lucky winners to host, many do not help in the actual planning of the events, but Putin did. He had a major part in the events and everything that happened in the opening ceremony and or the events to come. His most notable contribution came from the opening ceremony’s choice in music. This probably was the best part of the opening ceremony with the interactive design of the ceremony.

Team USA was one of the top recognized teams during the team walkout in their Ralph Lauren sweaters and USA “swag.” Team USA has 230 athletes ready to compete in the winter games and bring home some gold medals. Many of the athletes are being highly recognized as the best in their events and the eyes are especially on top USA returners Shaun White and Patrick Kane, who are expected to put on top quality performances during their events. Not only are eyes on Shaun White, but also his haircut. White sports a new professional, businesslike demeanor for this years winter games as he means business this time around. As a prospective 3-peat winner, he is not about to let team USA down.

As the opening ceremony came to a close, Vladimir Putin officially opened the 2014 Winter Olympics and gave stage to the closing Swan Lake dance, opera singing, tribute to the athletes, and passing of the Olympic flame to its final destination. To say the least, the opening ceremony was interesting. Overall, it is hard to describe. It did not have the flare of the London games, nor the grandeur of China, but one thing to be said after the opening ceremony is that Russia is out to prove that they are here to compete athletically and politically on a universal level.