2014 Winter Olympics Tracker: Live coverage from Sochi, Russia

This liveblog will feature updates, news and pictures from events happening in Sochi, Russia as they happen. The focus of the tracker is on major events, news and American teams.24/7 coverage will include: - Opening Ceremonies live coverage (Friday, 2/7) from two Digital First Media sports writers who are at Sochi right now. (Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News and Kurt Kragthorpe of the Salt Lake Tribune)- Original reporting from Sochi: We have a team of 11 credentialed reporters, columnists and photographers from the Denver Post, San Jose Mercury News, Salt Lake Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press at Sochi. They will be filing in-depth coverage and real-time updates via Twitter. - What's important today: Our tracker team in New York City will highlight the major events, updates, teams and athletes that we are tracking each day during the Olympics. - Social media buzz: A curation of social media, pictures and videos from Olympic athletes, media correspondents and fans watching around the world. - Live coverage of the closing ceremony on Feb 23.

3rd & 7 37yd

Team Canada. Sharp outfits . But why's that SEC fan so excited? http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bf4uRYfIcAAIDkN.jpg

by MercPurdy via twitter 2/7/2014 4:55:02 PM
Yep - we're good with snow and ice in Canada.

by Kerry Gillespie via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 4:55:38 PM
I like this strategy: Athletes enter very early & seats are saved for them so they can watch the rest comfortably--no standing on infield.

by MercPurdy via twitter 2/7/2014 4:56:13 PM
The Canadians led by hockey player Hayley Wickenheiser enter the stadium. Richard Lautens/Toronto Star

by Richard Lautens via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 4:56:17 PM
Kerry, if the RCMP were a 1950s college curling team from Manitoba. I joke. I'd actually buy one of those coats. But then again, I've always wanted to learn
how to curl.

by Emma Yardley via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 4:56:18 PM
I'm especially impressed with all the Russian attendants in white who have to sway side-to-side the whole time the athletes are marching in. Those people have very sturdy ankles.

by Cathal Kelly via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 4:57:55 PM
Cathal, I'm really impressed with their fuzzy white hats.

by Emma Yardley via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 4:58:31 PM
The Canadians are the red ribbon at the bottom. Richard Lautens/Toronto Star

by Richard Lautens via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 4:59:55 PM
Vinay, if you were ever to buy Armani you'd feel more poor. An Armani suit goes for $2,500.

by Emma Yardley via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 5:00:31 PM
Canadians win the waving medal #sochi2014 #OpeningCeremony #dappermounties http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bf4vj_nIEAAltNk.jpg

by Jason Blevins via twitter 2/7/2014 5:00:41 PM
I love the countries with small contingents

by Kevin McGran via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 5:00:55 PM
A reader comments: Bermuda showed up in shorts!

by Kosan edited by Lesley Ciarula Taylor 2/7/2014 5:01:22 PM
Netherlands, making orange wearable in 2014.

by Emma Yardley via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 5:01:27 PM
Yes, @SanJoseSharks fans, that is Sandis Ozolinsh carrying the Latvian flag at front of team. He's 41,still playing in KHL. Happy for him.

by MercPurdy via twitter 2/7/2014 5:01:35 PM
Can you guess by their outfit which country this is? (AP)

by Gary Kicinski via Digital First Media 2/7/2014 5:01:39 PM
@EmmaYardley: Orange is the new black

by Kevin McGran via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 5:01:47 PM
The flagbearer for New Zealand is the first in Olympic history to kill his own outfit.

by Cathal Kelly via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 5:02:12 PM
The Canadians have some enthusiasm. Richard Lautens

by Richard Lautens edited by Lesley Ciarula Taylor 2/7/2014 5:02:15 PM
While everybody else at Oly spams you with spoiler Opening Ceremony pix I send photo of my lunch #fisheye http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bf4v78UIIAAq5Xb.jpg

by Mark Kiszla via twitter 2/7/2014 5:02:19 PM
The Kiwi contingent are all wearing hooded merino wool onesies made on the South Island by Mons Royale. Get yours now.

by Emma Yardley via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 5:02:48 PM
Torch lighting still more than an hour away. @brinkeguthrie Did Pooter really have his GF light the torch? Seriously?

by MercPurdy via twitter 2/7/2014 5:03:14 PM
I have always thought Oly uniforms were like bridesmaid dresses. Where you gonna ever wear em again without getting laughed at?

by Mark Kiszla via twitter 2/7/2014 5:03:53 PM
Norway, one of the countries that should do well in the medal standings, enters (BBC)

by Gary Kicinski via Digital First Media 2/7/2014 5:04:08 PM
Kosan, I suppose Bermudians do kind of own the whole long short thing.

by Emma Yardley via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 5:04:12 PM
"That was a good shout for Canada" - an understated sentiment overheard at Fisht. #WeAreWinter http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bf4wHa2IcAAJqlP.jpg

by Team Canada via twitter 2/7/2014 5:05:01 PM
BBC says Venezuelan was diagnosed with brain tumor at age 8 and given 3 mos. to live. First time Olympian at 42

by Kevin McGran via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 5:05:08 PM
Poland in the house! My peeps here to finish 13th in every 12 person race. Only kid the ones I love.

by Mark Kiszla via twitter 2/7/2014 5:05:28 PM
By focussing on world leaders waving in the stands every time their country marches in, we are reminded of how many world leaders snubbed this ceremony.

by Cathal Kelly via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 5:05:56 PM
OK, @markkiszla , if we're doing food shots , here was my pre- ceremony lunch of Russian stroganoff. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bf4wx5ECYAAJzl4.jpg

by MercPurdy via twitter 2/7/2014 5:06:00 PM
South Korea's Fila puffa jackets look cozy. Also, just noticed how similar the Fila logo and the S. Korea flag are...

by Emma Yardley via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 5:06:28 PM
Germany, we love you! Rainbow outfits for #Sochi2014 Opening Ceremony. #inclusive #lgbt http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bf4l2sTCIAEPMnD.jpg”

by mjclaridge via twitter 2/7/2014 5:07:17 PM
Kevin, no wonder the Venezuelan athlete was so happy. This has doubled my desire to be his friend.

by Emma Yardley via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 5:07:40 PM
MJClaridge, they got so much flack in the fashion community but, honestly, I think they're wonderful.

by Emma Yardley via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 5:08:29 PM
Bring back the dancers.

by Cathal Kelly via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 6:19:55 PM
Here's the link to the full story on the missing ring.

Vancouver had defective cauldron, Sochi has missing ring | Toronto Star
thestar.comThe opening ceremony for the Sochi Games hit a bump when only four of the five Olympic rings materialized in a wintry opening scene.

by Kevin McGran via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 6:20:27 PM
That was so amazing! What a rush, marching into the stadium with Team USA! #Sochi2014 http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bf4_ePCCEAAfTz3.jpg

by Jessie Diggins via twitter 2/7/2014 6:21:21 PM
And here's a link to that Venezuelan skier, the guy who survived cancer and started competitive skiing late in life.

Antonio Pardo, Venezuelan skier, captures hearts at Sochi Olympics opening ceremonies | Toronto Star
thestar.comHe boogied with the national flag and showed off his best dance moves to the delight of spectators.

by Kevin McGran edited by Lesley Ciarula Taylor 2/7/2014 6:21:29 PM
Not sure why the U.S. team didn't opt to wear their blue-and-red peacoats in the opening ceremonies. Now, there's the Ralph Lauren we know and love!

by Emma Yardley via Img2.timeinc.net 2/7/2014 6:23:52 PM
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, left, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, center, and Russian President Vladimir Putin wave during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics. (Matt Dunham/AP)

by Gary Kicinski via Digital First Media 2/7/2014 6:24:32 PM
IOC boss Thomas Bach is giving a longish speech in which he touches glancingly on 'discrimination'. Good that he said something, but it was a long, long way from definitive.

by Cathal Kelly via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 6:25:32 PM
It's Putin time! He stands up to declare the Games open. And then applauds himself. Hey, it's Russian tradition.

by MercPurdy via twitter 2/7/2014 6:27:01 PM
Vladimir Putin, looking very stentorian, opens the Games officially. Cue fireworks.

by Cathal Kelly via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 6:27:17 PM
As one would expect, France hit their uniform designs out of the park with soft grey flannel and just-so paneling. Designed by Lacoste, coveted by everyone.

by Emma Yardley via Static.ddmcdn 2/7/2014 6:27:19 PM
Time for the doves of peace.

by Gary Kicinski via Digital First Media 2/7/2014 6:27:57 PM
No helicopter scene for Putin, he just said a couple lines in Russian to officially open the Games
, from his seat, and that's it for him in this opening.

by Kerry Gillespie via Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremonies coverage 2/7/2014 6:28:09 PM

2014 Winter Olympics Tracker: Live coverage from Sochi, Russia

Vancouver had defective cauldron, Sochi has missing ring | Toronto Star

Antonio Pardo, Venezuelan skier, captures hearts at Sochi Olympics opening ceremonies | Toronto Star