Dmitry Chernyshenko, the President of the Sochi organising committee, has welcomed all visitors, athletes and viewers to this year's Winter Olympic Games in the Russian resort, claiming that it is a "privilege" to be given the chance to "host the entire world".
After the opening ceremony kicked off proceedings, the man in charge for bringing the Winter Olympiad to Russia took centre stage at the Fisht Olympic Stadium.
"Our city is unique, as all of Russia is unique," he told the audience in the stadium and at home. "We are proud to have the privilege to host the entire world.
"The Sochi Games are our chance to show the world the best that our country is proud of: our hospitality, our traditions, our Russia."
The Games are now officially underway in Sochi.
