The Ceremony, beginning at exactly 20:14 local time and lasting for approximately two-and-a-half hours, will aim to showcase Russia to the global audience but in a "quirky and innovative" way. 

Speaking this morning, the head of the Opening Ceremony Supervisory Board Konstantin Ernst, described the pressure he feels ahead of an event which "carries the name of the country".

"The Ceremony is truly unprecedented and gains the biggest audiences around the world", he said.

"It is a big responsibility and we have felt very painfully the burden of this.

"Our message of how we see the country is the main message - it will be a mental journey back into the history with a strong emotional message for this unprecedented international audience".

Konstantin Ernst explained how Sochi is seeking to emulate the ground-breaking Opening Ceremony the last time the Olympics was held in Russia at Moscow 1980 ©Sports Illustrated/Getty Images


Although the Games has been clouded by a sea of issues over recent weeks - ranging from malfunctioning hotels and stray dogs to the more serious human rights and security concerns - anticipation and excitement are the prevailing feelings evident here today.

Internationally, the reaction has clearly been less positive and this was emphasised today by Google's choice of a rainbow flag-themed search page doodle with the worlds of the Olympic Charter written underneath.

In what could be interpreted as a concession to gay rights concerns, Ernst confirmed the Russian pop band t.A.T.u, consisting of two teenagers who semi-pretended to be lesbians and were popular in the mid-2000s, will feature in the Ceremony pre-show. 

It was suggested that this was more due to the need to make the most of Russian music which is known around the world, than the messages they stand for - but the title of one song Not Gonna Get Us was seen as relevant to the sporting theme of winning a race. 

After many rumours it has been confirmed that the band t.A.T.u will feature in the pre-show for the Opening Ceremony ©Getty Images


Ernst also explained how the Ceremony will feature much Russian classical music but - in an apparent dig at the celebration of the National Health Service during the Opening Ceremony of London 2012, it will not feature topics which are interesting for Russians only.

He also outlined several other "quirky" elements particularly involving the parade of athletes - which he admitted can sometimes be the "longest and most boring part of the show".

But to the surprise of no-one he gave nothing away about how the Olympic Flame will be lit to conclude the Ceremony

"This is the biggest secret ever", he said.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories