Russia tallied its first gold medal of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, marking a special moment for the host nation that has been the talk of the world in recent months.

Russia did not win any usual event but rather a new event -- team figure skating -- and how fitting for the host nation that Russian President Vladimir Putin happened to be in attendance. Evgeni Plushenko paved the way for the Russians in the event as the United States and Canada failed to keep up.

So far in the Sochi Winter Olympics, Canada, the Netherlands, and Norway are all tied for first place in the amount of medals earned. Canada has the most gold and silver medals combined while the Netherlands have one fewer silver medal. Norway only has two gold medals, one silver medal, and four bronze medals.

The United States currently has earned two gold medals, no silver medals, and three bronze medals. The Americans currently sit in fourth place in the race for the most medals in the Olympics.

The win for Russia was something to finally smile about for the host nation that has been widely unpopular due to antigay laws and a wide variety of other issues including a lack of hospitality for a number of the people who traveled from other parts of the world. In addition to all of this, people have worried about the potential for a terrorist attack as the entire world watches the host nation and the city of Sochi.

With all of this being said, what do you think about the Winter Olympics so far this year? Do you think it has been surrounded by too much controversy or has it been better than some people say? Let us know what you think in the comments section located below.