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Bob Costas begins Sochi Games primetime coverage with eye infection

Russia, what have you done to our precious Bob Costas?

With all the talk of problems leading up to the Sochi Games, Americans saw a familiar Olympics face looking a tad unfortunate in the opening minutes of NBC's first primetime broadcast. Costas, our venerable host, has what appears to be pink eye. Talk about your #SochiProblems.

[ Video: Luger falls off sled at full speed, regains control and finishes the run ]

After welcoming the TV audience, Costas was quick to address his very obvious eye affliction. He woke up to discover his eye was swollen shut and "just about as red as the old Soviet flag," he said. He didn't directly say he had pink eye, but he nailed the simile.

[ Related: #SochiProblems: A semi-comprehensive glossary]

"According to NBC doctors here, it's some kind of minor infection which should resolve itself by the weekend," Costas said, while explaining that he'll be wearing glasses for the next few days.

Costas' eye quickly became the talking point of the primetime broadcast. He was a trending topic on Twitter — a parody account for his eye spawned almost instantaneously. Thousands of tweets were flying left and right connecting his eye to all the issues Sochi visitors are dealing with. Was it the water, people wondered? (Thanks to @dkitendaugh for the picture above)

During Friday's primetime broadcast, NBC is scheduled to air an interview between Costas and President Barack Obama that was recorded Thursday. So you can bet people will keep talking about Costas' eye.

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Mike Oz

is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at mikeozstew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!