Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Opening Ceremonies, Conclusion: Parade of Nations

Only less than three days remaining until the opening ceremony (two until the first day of competition) at Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: the opening ceremonies, conclusion: the Parade of Nations.

The Fisht Olympic Stadium (pictured) is where the opening (and closing) ceremonies at Sochi 2014 will take place. On Friday, 88 athletes will carry their respected nations' flags in the Parade of Nations. All other traditional Olympic stuff will take place as well, including the lighting of the flame, of course.

These games will mark the first under NEW IOC president Thomas Bach, who was elected as IOC president a few months ago. Bach replaces Jacques Rogge, who has since retired.

At present time, 45 of the 88 nations participating (a record) have confirmed a flag bearer. These are the confirmed opening ceremony flag bearers:

Pangiota Tsakiri (Greece) cross country
Fuad Guliyev (Azerbaijan) official
Erjon Tola (Albania) Alpine
Cristian Simari Birkner (Argentina) Alpine
Maria Kirkova (Bulgaria) Alpine
Zara Novakovic (Bosnia & Herzegovina) Alpine
Peter Crook (British Virgin Islands) freestyle
Bernadett Heidun (Hungary) short track speed skating
Pan To Bartza Lui (Hong Kong) short track speed skating
Nino Tsiklauri (Georgia) Alpine
Lene Nielsen (Denmark) curling
Gary di Silvestri (Dominica) cross country
Javier Fernandez (Spain) figure skating
Armin Zoggeler (Italy) luge
Yerda Akhmadiyev (Kazakhstan) cross country
Hayley Wickenheiser (Canada) ice hockey
Lee Kyo Hyuk (Republic of Korea) speed skating
Sandis Ozolinsh (Latvia) ice hockey
Deividas Stagniunas (Latvia) figure skating
Tina Weirather (Liechtenstein) Alpine
Elise Pellegrin (Malta) Alpine
Olivier Jenot (Monaco) Alpine
Julia Marino (Paraguay) freestyle
Roberto Carcelen (Peru) cross country
David Kupczyk (Poland) bobsleigh
Eva Tolfavi (Romania) biathlon
Vincenzo Michelotti (San Marino) Alpine
Milanko Petrovic (Serbia) biathlon, cross country
Zdeno Chara (Slovakia) ice hockey
Tomaz Razingar (Slovenia) ice hockey
Alessia Afi Dipol (Togo) Alpine
Jason Lamy Chappuis (France) Nordic combined
Ivica Kostelic (Croatia) Alpine
Tarik Hadzic (Montenegro) Alpine
Sarka Strachova (Czech Republic) Alpine
Dominique Ohaco (Chile) freestyle
Simon Ammann (Switzerland) ski jump
Indrek Tobreluts (Estonia) biathlon
Marvin Dixon (Jamaica) bobsleigh
Ayumi Ogasawara (Japan) curling

And confirmed within the last 24 hours:
Aleksei Grishin (Belarus) freestyle
Jaqueline Mourno (Brazil) biathlon, cross country
Hossein Saveh Shemshaki (Iran) Alpine
Enni Rukajarvi (Finland) snowboarding

Some countries participating that haven't confirmed a flag bearer as of yet: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, China, Mexico, Independent Olympic Athletes, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, United States, Ukraine, Philippines, Turkey, Sweden and Russia.

The last part will deal with some final thoughts before the first day of competition on Thursday. This could also include some more flag bearer updates as well.