Euronews correspondent Denis Loctier who is at the Winter Olympics says the people of Sochi have been eagerly anticipating the opening ceremony. Not everyone was able to get a seat inside. The last tickets were sold for the equivalent of around 630 euros. But many people came to the city centre to watch a live broadcast on big screens.

There was a party atmosphere on the streets as revellers in the Russian Black Sea resort turned out for a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to say: “I was there”.

“We came with all our family – it’s a big event for us, for our city, and for the whole country. This happens only once, and you have got to watch it, like this, at least,” said one father among the crowd.

“We’ve been waiting for these Games for seven years, and now the wait is over. We are really enjoying everything that is going on here,” added another man.

It’s revived happy memories for some.

“I skied all my life, yes, I was an athlete! I won the first place at our factory,” recalled one elderly lady.