It was bold.

And it has got the Winter Games started.

A glittering opening ceremony has been held in Sochi with dance, music, fireworks

and a journey through Russia's history to delight the 40,000 people present.

Host President Vladimir Putin was joined by more than 40 world leaders.

Millions more were watching on television and via the Internet

as the 22nd Winter Games got underway at the state-of-the-art Fisht Stadium.

These are Russia's first Winter Olympics and President Putin has staked his reputation on them.

He will be hoping all the controversies in the build-up will now be consigned to history

and that the athletes will do the talking with thrills and spills on ice and snow.

Between now and February 23,

the competition for gold, silver and bronze medals will dominate the world's sporting agenda.