The 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, officially kicked off Friday with a massive ceremony celebrating the host country’s storied history.
From Peter the Great to "Swan Lake," many of Russia’s finest figures and achievements were given a chance in the spotlight.
But the Russians also paid tribute to the country’s reigning political doctrine of the 20th century: communism.
Here are some of the larger-than-life images audience members saw:
Image source: Twitter user @Bachscore
Image source: Twitter user @olyphil
Image source: Twitter user @kesgardner
Image source: Twitter user @Bachscore
Image source: Twitter user @cbrennansports
In case you need a refresher, it's a representation of the old Soviet Union hammer and sickle:
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
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