Sharapova carries torch into Sochi Olympic stadium

After earning a silver medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Maria Sharapova certainly made her mark at the Winter Games today in Sochi, Russia, where she lived for some of her formative years. The tennis star, who chiefly resides stateside in Florida, carried the Olympic torch into Fisht Stadium, as pyrotechnics shot off overhead and classical music blared. (See the 6:59 p.m. timestamp in this by-the-minute report.)

Sharapova will be ubiquitous at these Olympics. On Wednesday, she toted the official Olympic Games Phone, the Galaxy Note 3, at a Samsung event in Sochi. She's also set to do "guest presenter" work for NBC's coverage during the Games as well.

Here's a look at Sharapova's pre-Games prep behind the scenes:

As she watched the opening ceremony from the event's green room, the stylish Russian couldn't help but comment on one nation's fashion choices:

Previously, Sharapova herself carried the Russian flag in the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics in London:

Got a thought, a tip, or a point to make? Hit me on Twitter @jonscott9.