International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has issued a rousing speech to the delegations and audience at the Sochi Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

The 60-year-old, watched by a worldwide audience of millions, spoke of how the XXII Games would 'form a new page in Olympic history'.

Addressing the athletes, Bach said: "You have come here for sport. You have come here with your Olympic dream. The IOC wants your Olympic dream to come true. This is why we are investing almost all of our revenues into the worldwide development of sport. The universal Olympic rules apply to every athlete, no matter who you are or what your background is.

"This is the Olympic message the athletes spread to the host country and the whole world. It is possible, even as competitors, to live together under one roof in harmony with tolerance and without any form of discrimination for whatever reason. Yes it is possible, even as competitors, to listen, to understand and to give an example for a peaceful society. Olympic aims are always about building bridges to bring people together. They are never to build walls to keep people apart.

"I say to the political leaders of the world, thank you for supporting your athletes. They are the best of your country."

Previously, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon spoke of the importance of the Olympics in 'melting barriers between people'.