Russia kicks off the opening ceremony Friday in Sochi as the world turns its attention to the
costliest Olympic Games in history.
Spectators from all over the world
will watch the lavish event and introduction of athletes, marking the official
start of the Winter Olympics.
Light shows and music, lots of it,
will fill the air.
"Most of the ceremony focuses
heavily on Russian classical music," said Konstantin Ernst, the main
creative producer of the ceremony.
"Unfortunately, unlike London, we cannot boast a
plethora of famous world-known pop performers. This is why we are now focusing
on what Russia
is best known for musically around the world; namely, classical music."
Despite anxiety about terror
strikes, controversy over gay rights and ridicule for poor preparations, the
nation's officials have maintained that the sites in Sochi are secure.
It will be "the safest place on
Earth during the Olympics," said Dmitry Chernyshenko, head of the Games.
Russian President Vladimir Putin,
who pushed the International Olympic Committee to hold the Games in the nation,
will attend the ceremony.
"The head of state is expected
to declare the Games open during the ceremony," Ernst said. "It is a
requirement. And naturally, Mr. Putin will be doing just that."
The ceremony, the only event
scheduled for the day, will last about two and a half hours.
"We believe this is going to be
a respectable format. It will be very comfortable for the spectators," he
said.
About 40,000 people will be watching
from the stands at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi.
Russian classical music star Anna
Netrebko will perform the Olympic anthem, Ernst said.
A day before, high excitement marked
qualification events in the men's and women's slopestyle, women's moguls and
team figure skating.
SECURITY
Russia has drafted 37,000 police and security officers to handle
security in Sochi,
but that has not done much to assuage fears.
Toothpaste terror: A day after the United States
warned of how explosive
materials could be concealed in toothpaste or cosmetic tubes, its
government Thursday temporarily banned all liquids, gels, aerosols and powders
in carry-on luggage on flights between the United
States and Russia.
Source: BBC.
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