I have found the Olympic Opening Ceremonies surprisingly enjoyable. It is an international event, with true international communication, when you have the NBC Macy's Parade style commentary that is one of America's truly capitalist traditions, narrating the story of this formerly communist country doing its best to join the free world. Despite all the criticism of Putin, and bad hotel rooms, and threats of terrorism, etc., I found the presentation, especially the Bolshoi Ballet, much better, much more international, than the parade of smiling Americans at the Olympics in Los Angeles some years back, which seems to me tacky by comparison.