It's a long way from Tipparary...

It's been 22 years since the Jamaicans sent a bobsled team to the Winter Olympics. That inspired the movie 'Cool Running's,' but in real life, the Jamaican bobsled team hasn't been in the Winter Olympics since 1994 and won't be competing in Vancouver this year either.

But...

Aoife Hoey - proudly carrying Ireland's Flag in Opening Ceremony.

There is an Irish Team this year competing in the bobsled? Does it take absolutely NO native terrain or conditions to practice the bobsled? Jamaica, Ireland... go figure?? Ireland is not the only surprise to me - Pakistan is taking part in one of the events – skiing - for the first time in the Winter Olympics - I just watched skier Mohammad Abbas, the only participant from Pakistan proudly carry his native flag.

Mohammad Abbas from Pakistan

It's nice to see over 80 countries represented, we can predict the countries we'll see take the most medals... but ever so uplifting to see every continent so proudly represented!  I'm loving the opening ceremony but... Let the games begin!