From flying to spinning and speeding down slopes, the 2014 Winter Olympics will begin with the opening ceremony Feb. 7 in Sochi, Russia at Fisht Olympic Stadium.
All events will begin Feb. 8 except for figure skating, freestyle skiing and snowboarding.
These competitions will begin Feb. 7 and will mark the first time in Winter Olympic history that competition will begin before the opening ceremony.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) created additional events to bring a new burst of energy to this year’s games.
“I am so excited about the Olympics this year,” said Realyn Edwards, a sophomore environmental biology major. “I think everyone’s favorite part will be the Parade of Nations.”
The 2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony consists of the Parade of Athletes, two speeches and the Olympic Flame.
A flag bearer along with athletes from each country will enter the stadium in representation of their country. Competing nations will enter the stadium by alphabetical order with two exceptions.
Greece will enter the stadium first due to the Olympics origin and Russia will enter last as the host country. Dmitry Chernyshenko, president of the Organizing Committees for the Olympic Games, will give a speech along with the president of International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach.
The Olympic Flame will round up the opening day events. The Olympics officially begin when the flame lights the cauldron. From there it will burn until the closing ceremony Feb. 23.
“I am intrigued to see how the United States will compete in the Winter Olympics this year,” said Perry Robinson, a sophomore broadcast journalism major. “I hope we can bring home the most gold medals.”
The Winter Olympics features 15 sports and 98 events, including cross-country skiing, speed skating and figure skating.
“Pairs ice skating is my favorite sport in the Olympics,” said Katie Knight, a senior music education major. “The way they glide on the ice and the jumps they do are phenomenal.”
Tim Palmer, a senior business management major, said the 2014 Winter Olympics takes one more step closer to world peace. “It is always exciting to see many of the worlds nations come together to compete,” Palmer said.
NBC will televise different events of the 2014 Winter Olympics and the opening Ceremony Friday at 7:30 p.m. EST.
