俄罗斯人聚集在索契观看奥运会开幕式

Hundreds of people have descended on downtown Sochi to watch the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics on a giant screen, despite global security experts warning the Games are a high-profile target for terrorism.

About 300 people gathered at an open-air site to watch the opening ceremony on a big screen.

Natalia Kudnik, a 35-year-old spectator from Sochi, says the region has been waiting for this night "for seven years".

"Seven years we have waited for this day. From the opening we expect impressions. But we wait for tomorrow and the day after tomorrow when Russia will have victories."

There was a carnival atmosphere in the host city with people travelling from all over the country to enjoy the festivities.

Over the next two weeks 3,000 athletes will compete in 98 events - more people and contests than ever at the Winter Games.