Putin Lights Olympic Flame, Wind Blows It Out

Vladimir Putin might be capable of herculean feats, but keeping the Olympic flame lit proved a little vexing today in Moscow. "Today is a joyous and momentous day," he said at the Red Square lighting ceremony for the Sochi Games, as per the BBC. "The Olympic flame—the symbol of the planet's main sports event, the symbol of peace and friendship—has arrived in Russia, and in a few minutes it will be on its way around our huge country." The problem came later when a torchbearer ran through a passage leading to the Kremlin, which the AP notes created the effect of a wind tunnel, and blew the torch out. A lighter-wielding security officer came to the rescue, and the flame continued on its way. The flame, which was lighted last week in Greece, arrived in Russia today; it will make an epic 123-day journey before it kicks off the Sochi Games. (More Vladimir Putin stories.)