Sochi Winter Olympics' opening ceremony suffers unfortunate ring malfunction

The Beijing Olympics' opening ceremony showed us the ways in which totalitarian governments could flex their muscle in incredibly precise displays. The Sochi Winter Olympics seems poised to show us the other side of that coin. The troubled games kicked off with an unfortunate lighting malfunction that echoed the complaints of journalists.

The iconic symbol of the Olympics was left one ring short, as this Vine shows.

The Opening Ceremony airs stateside on NBC at 7:30 p.m. EST, though video of the event is already up.

The games have proven to be so crazy that even Glenn Beck spoke out against Russia's anti-LGBT laws. Athletes and sponsors alike are dropping out, citing dangerous arenas and possible terrorist threats.