'Big salute to communism': Hammer & sickle appear at Sochi opening ceremony [pics]

This is the most lavish Soviet nostalgia show ever put on.

— Anton Troianovski (@AntonWSJ) February 7, 2014

This is in no way terrifying. pic.twitter.com/a4p85ZGf49 (Via @bruce_arthur)

— Jay Busbee (@jaybusbee) February 7, 2014

No hotels/infrastructure, but Russians did have time to complete a gigantic hammer & sickle for opening ceremonies pic.twitter.com/aNIeI1aPdr

— Benny (@bennyjohnson) February 7, 2014

Journos who are upset with hotel accommodations: You should be way more upset with this skyscraper-sized hammer and sickle display.

— T. Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) February 7, 2014

Sochi ran out of pillows but they had enough time/money to build giant hammer&sickle statues. Pushing communism like you read about.

— Alex Wong (@TheSituAsian508) February 7, 2014

Communism at the Olympics. pic.twitter.com/Nr27n2gmvJ

— David Wharton (@LATimesWharton) February 7, 2014

And here's the hammer following the sickle: @mherlhy0816 @lachlan pic.twitter.com/I3AExJOIZd

— Rachel Bachman (@Bachscore) February 7, 2014

Homage to the Soviet era, Russian modernism. The workers paradise

— Philip Hersh (@olyphil) February 7, 2014

When the sickle and hammer began floating into the arena, there was a loud cheer. Big salute to communism. there was also techno #Sochi2014

— Jared S. Hopkins (@JaredSHopkins) February 7, 2014

Anyone remember this symbol? pic.twitter.com/0OCNu7DXN3

— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) February 7, 2014

Well, old-school Russia just showed up, flying hammer and sicle, worker pounding away while generals repress..very unsettling..

— Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) February 7, 2014

Steampunk communism? #olympics #sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/ZvIoSnEKiI

— Mary Pilon (@marypilon) February 7, 2014

The depiction of the Russian Revolution, to a heavy drumbeat #Sochi2014 @ Олимпийский стадион «Фишт» /… http://t.co/EItzHY92fY

— Alan Abrahamson (@alanabrahamson) February 7, 2014

This pic.twitter.com/sDK0d9SG3R made me think of this http://t.co/WLoYGdeHJ1 (starts around :34 seconds in)

— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahNRO) February 7, 2014

Subtle RT @charliespiering: Looks like the hammer and sickle made it to Sochi for the Olympic opening ceremonies -> http://t.co/Sg6j6OL7yW

— Lachlan Markay (@lachlan) February 7, 2014

In their tor through the history of Russia, the organizers appear to have left out some parts, like the Stalin era.

— Sarah Lyall (@sarahlyall) February 7, 2014

We have finished our walk through Russian history, skipping over the unpleasant parts. Putin about to declare the #Sochi Games open…

— Stacy St. Clair (@StacyStClair) February 7, 2014