Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Debuting Nations

17 days remaining until the opening ceremonies (16 until the first day of competition) at Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: first time nations.

In the 21 previous winter Olympic games, over one hundred nations have sent an athlete who have qualified for at least one event. At Sochi, seven nations will make their winter games debut.

• Dominica: two in cross country, Gary di Silvestri (15 km classical) and Angelica di Silvestri (10km classical)
• Malta: one in Alpine, Elise Pellegrin (slalom and giant slalom)
• Paraguay: one in freestyle, Julia Marino, slopestyle
• Timor Leste: one in Alpine, Yohan Goult Goncalves (slalom)
• Togo: two in Alpine and cross country, Alessia Afi Dipol (giant slalom and slalom) and Mathilde Amivi Petitjean (10km classical)
• Tonga: one in luge, Bruno Banani (singles)
• Zimbabwe: one in Alpine, Luke Steyn (giant slalom and slalom)

They are among 90 nations that will have at least one representative at Sochi.

Up next: ice hockey preview

London 2012: The Countdown Series: Togo

68 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: Togo (TOG).

Togo has participated in the summer Olympics since 1972. Only one medal has been won by one of their athletes in the summer games.

Despite no gold medals, the lone medal for Togo is by way of canoeist Benjamin Boukpeti (pictured). Boukpeti finished third in the men's slalom kayak singles (canoeing) at Beijing 2008, earning a bronze, which became the first medal in the Olympics for Togo.

As of now, Togo will send one athlete to London and will compete in the men's 81kg class of judo.

Up next: Trinidad and Tobago