Olympics begin as hijack threat thwarted

(Updated)

All eyes are on Russia as the 22nd Winter Olympics are officially underway. The opening ceremonies took place at Sochi Fisht Stadium Friday morning and also at some local schools.

In Russia, this was a chance for the host country to make its first impression at the games. And like the $50 billion price tag for the games themselves, this was big.

The Olympics in Sochi have finally arrived. 40,000 people crammed into the brand new $762 million Fisht Stadium. The ceremony told the story of Russia from its roots, right through its industrial Soviet era. But it’s the athletes who are the main attraction.

All 221 Canadian athletes are coming off their most successful Winter Olympics back in Vancouver. Led by flag bearer Hayley Wickenheiser, they will no doubt inspire another generation.

Back in Canada, many from that next generation were caught up in the excitement. Queensdale school in Hamilton did their own Olympic relay, complete with a real torch used during 2010.

“So, you didn’t have to be in Sochi to get your hands on the Olympic torch today.”

Even though they may not know it yet, each student got a chance to hold a piece of Olympic history

John Kozlanka is a teacher: “It’s just fully to think that four years ago it’s such a long time in their lives but such a short time in ours though.”

They did one lap of the school and capped it off with an opening ceremony in the gym.

The students watched a video of Canada’s success in Vancouver, and are now primed for what we will see in Russia.

“And though the students at Queensdale School can’t be in Sochi, they do have a message for our athletes. Go Canada Go.”

And just as the games were getting underway, a passenger on a flight to Turkey attempted to hijack the plane and divert it to Sochi. The threat sparked concern about a possible terrorist attempt on the games.

The Ukrainian man who made the the hijacking attempt has reportedly been detained by police. The pilots were able to make an emergency landing and no one was injured thanks to their quick thinking.

After the plane took off from Ukraine, the passenger shouted that he had stashed a bomb in the baggage compartment and tried to force his way into the cockpit, demanding the plane reroute to Russia. The pilots told him they would comply, but instead kept on course to Istanbul, Turkey. They switched off the in-flight monitoring system so the attempted hijacker couldn’t track the plane’s movement. When it entered Turkish airspace, two F-16 fighter jets escorted it down the runway where police were waiting. All 110 passengers were evacuated and the unruly man was taken into custody. Several reports say he was severely intoxicated.

Authorities say he complied with arrest and did not have a bomb on him. Turkish police searched the plane for signs of explosives. It’s still unclear whether the man was truly a threat or was just intoxicated and out of control.

Canada has a legitimate medal shot virtually every day until the closing ceremonies on the 23rd.

Canada had the most golds four years ago in Vancouver, with 14, and was third overall with 26 medals, 11 behind the U.S. and four behind Germany.

Some Canadian medals in Sochi could come in the new events, like men’s and women’s Snowboard Slopestyle and Team Figure Skating.

Gold is always expected in men’s and women’s hockey. Canada has 220 athletes in Sochi — a record high for a winter games.