Listen to Hang Up and Listen Olympics Extra with Josh Levin, Mike Pesca, and June Thomas by clicking the arrow on the audio player below:

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In the first Hang Up and Listen Olympics Extra, Josh Levin, Mike Pesca, and June Thomas discuss the opening ceremony of the Sochi Games and the political messages therein.

Here are links to some of the articles and other items mentioned on the show:

• The New York Times’ review of the opening ceremony.
• Pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva publicly supported Russia’s gay propaganda law.
• Figure skater Irina Rodnina, who helped light the Olympic torch, sent out a racist tweet about the Obamas.Alleged Putin mistress Alina Kabayeva was another of the torchbearers.
• International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said politicians should follow the lead of athletes and be tolerant and understanding.

Podcast production and edit by Mike Vuolo.

You can email us at hangup@slate.com.

Read the rest of Slate’s coverage of the Sochi Olympics.