President Vladimir Putin Subject of Ridicule on Internet
Humorous images of President Vladimir Putin appear on social media as Winter Olympics gets underway @StayPuft via Twitter

He is one of the most powerful leaders in the world but as the Winter Olympics opened with a spectacular bang in Sochi - forgetting a slight Olympic ring glitch - it appears there is no stopping the humorous images of Russian President Putin and the associated '#Sochiproblems' from surfacing online.

First of all, people were not able to resist the temptation to capitalise on Russia's anti-gay stance as one of the five giant snowflakes hanging from the roof of the Fisht Olympic Stadium failed to converge and morph beautifully into the Five Olympic rings.

Only Four Olympic Rings Opened At The Ceremony in Sochi
Four out of five Olympic rings are seen lit up during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Reuters

Sports columnist Dan Wetzel offered his help via Twitter.

While some were left marvelling at the most expensive Olympic Show ever staged, others could not resist belittling the President during the ceremony comparing him to Darth Vader.

Meanwhile a spoof account for Iain Duncan Smith, minister for work and pensions, posted a picture of the President in make-up to honour the start of the Winter Olympics.

Vladmir in make-up
Vladimir in make-up Twitter

Then the President appeared half-naked riding a Ritz cracker.

Rob Ford Toronto Mayor has also allegedly tweeted a picture of himself with Putin on the back of horse paying tribute to his leadership style.

And another.

Meanwhile #Sochiproblems have been mentioned more frequently on Twitter than 'Team USA' or 'Putin'.

One of the most humorous images to surface has come from Olympic bobsledder Johnny Quinn who had to use his bobsled push training to get out of a bathroom.

He was taking a shower and the door got locked.