Texan Athletes Tweet Photos From Opening Ceremony

Texas Olympians Jordan Malone and Johnny Quinn Tweet Play-by-Plays From Sochi Games

With hashtags like #TexasPride and #TeamTexas, local Olympians Jordan Malone and Johnny Quinn gave their fans a backstage and front-row view of the 2014 Sochi Olympics opening ceremony Friday afternoon.

While Quinn, who will be competing in the two-man and four-man bobsled events for Team USA, gave a joyful play-by-play in photos of his teammates and of the Russian ballet and theatrical performance of the opening ceremonies, speed skater Malone tweeted a heartfelt message about how his dream of being an Olympian now has happened twice.

While many athletes skip the opening ceremonies to rest up for their upcoming events, it was no surprise that Malone, from Denton, Texas, was present Friday afternoon.

The Wall Street Journal reports that in the 2010 Winter Games there was much controversy when the U.S. short-track speed skating officials forbade its skaters from attending the ceremony. But Malone went anyway.

"He told us we were abandoning our country if we walked opening ceremonies," Malone said. "But the way we looked at it was, 'No, we're really abandoning our country if we don't.'"

Keep an eye out for Malone in the 5000m relay semifinals on Feb. 13, the 500m heats on Feb. 18, the 500m quarterfinals, semifinals and finals, and the 5000m relay final on Feb. 21.

As for the ever-exuberant Quinn from McKinley, Texas, you can find him in the four-man bobsled runs on Feb. 22 and 23 on NBC.

Don't miss the Sochi Olympics Opening Ceremony on NBC starting at 6:30 p.m. CT.

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