SOCHI, Russia, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- The Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Sochi featured a spectacular light show and classical music, along with the introduction of the athletes.
The program kicked off at 8:14 p.m. Russian time.
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1 of 3 | Spectators watch as fireworks light the sky after the lighting of the Olympic torch marking the opening of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games on February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. UPI/Maya Vidon-White | License Photo
It will air in the United States on NBC at 7:30 p.m. EST.
"Most of the ceremony focuses heavily on Russian classical music," Konstantin Ernst, the main creative producer of the ceremony, said in a statement before the event. "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."
CNN said about 40,000 people watched the event from the stands at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi.
Russian classical music star Anna Netrebko sang the Olympic anthem and dancers from the Bolshoi performed.
The music duo t.A.T.u. was the only popular music act to take the stage. They sang their hit "Not Gonna Get Us."
