The 22^nd Winter Olympics opened with a spectacular ceremony in the Russian resort city of Sochi.

Athletes from 87 nations paraded before 40,000 people in the Fisht Stadium before president Vladimir Putin declared the Games open.

The Olympic flame was lit by Russian former triple gold medallists Vladislav Tretiak and Irina Rodnina as fireworks illuminated the night sky.

At a cost of £30bn, the Sochi Games is the most expensive Olympics in history.

(Source: BBC)