Sochi Olympics 2014: Olympics Ring Fails to Deploy in Opening Ceremony

Worries about the quality of Russia’s Sochi winter Olympics seemed to be well founded as one of the giant Olympic rings light displays failed to deploy during the Friday opening ceremony.

Five enormous snowflakes dropped from the ceiling over a choir in traditional Russian garb. Four out of five of the huge snowflakes opened up into the Olympic rings, but the fifth one failed to deploy. This forced the planners to abandon the feature.

The technical failure was mocked relentlessly on Twitter.  

Looks like $51 billion only gets you 4 out of 5 Olympic Rings! #FAIL . Good luck to all taking part #Sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/lxiDg2CDTF

— Eamo (@eamonharbison) February 7, 2014

Oh Oh…. Olympic Rings at Opening Ceremony. 80% correct? Lol #fail #Sochi2014 #TeamUSA #Olympics2014 pic.twitter.com/SiIPWmU7kt

— Bobbie O’Leary (@oleary_b) February 7, 2014

What are the Greek Gods telling us about the failure of the fifth Olympic ring to link up with others? #Sochi2014

— Pan Pylas (@PanPylas) February 7, 2014

Update: The opening ceremony paid homage to Russia’s Communist past, displaying giant hammer and sickles as the stadium was awash in a bright red glow.

(Photo Credit: Reuters)

(Photo Credit: Reuters)

Many Twitter commentors savaged the Communist symbolism.

Look at the Sochi Olympic hotels that cost $50B and then remind me how awesome Communism is. pic.twitter.com/OC53TTfdQx

— Chelsea (@chelseagrunwald) February 6, 2014

All these #Sochi pics coming out are pretty sad. I guess communism isn’t as efficient/productive as Marx said it would be #SochiProblems

— Marty Gee (@Martymicfly) February 6, 2014

Ah, everyone’s nostalgic of the disco-dancing days of communism, of course. #sochi

— AlanFox (@AlanFox_) February 7, 2014

Update: This was not the only link to the Russina Communist era at the event. Harkening back to Soviet-era picture manipulation to remove imagery that ran counter to the narrative of the regime, images released from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s suite shows all five Olympic rings open and lit. It is unclear whether the image was manipulated or taken at a different time, nevertheless, it is different that what millions of people around the world saw at the opening ceremony.

(Photo credit: AP)