Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games opens

The 2014 Sochi Olympic Games have officially begun.

Thousands of spectators watched as hundreds of athletes took part in the three hour ceremony, which ended with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron by two Russian former triple gold medallists.

Georgia's flag bearer, alpine skier Nino Tsiklauri, led the small Georgian delegation around the stadium during the Opening Ceremony held at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7.

The Georgian Olympic team comprised of skiers Iason Abramishvili and Alexi Beniaidze. Figure skater Elene Gedevanishvili will join the team in Sochi on February 14.

As the athletes marched into the stadium from underground, their country's shape was displayed on the stadium floor, a kind of Olympic-sized Google map.

The map of Georgia aroused controversy, as the breakaway regions of Georgia Abkhazia and South Ossetia, whose independence was recognized by Russia, were covered by the fog and not clearly reflected.

Following the Georgian athletes' appearance at the stadium, many critical comments flooded social media saying Russia violated Georgia’s territorial integrity.

Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze responded to the issue and said she hoped this was not a an issue of provocation.

A map of Georgia projected onto the stage, and Georgia as well as each nation made its way down the aisle right through the middle of the map.

"Unfortunately I have seen the map only on Facebook and could not compare it to the map images of other countries as to how they were reflected. On the official page of the Olympic Games Georgia’s territorial integrity is not infringed,” Panjikidze said on a TV programme.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach used his welcome speech at the ceremony to promote Olympic values of diversity and non-discrimination.

"The Olympics are about building bridges to bring people together," Bach said.

"They are not about erecting walls to keep people apart. Embrace human diversity and unity."

The Olympic rings are presented during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7, 2014 in Sochi. Photo by Andrej Isakovic; AFP