Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Venezuela

19 days remaining until the opening ceremonies (18 until the first day of competition) at Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Venezuela.

Venezuela made their winter Olympics debut at Nagano 1998 and have appeared at Salt Lake City 2002, and at Turin 2006, but skipped Vancouver 2010. The Venezuelan contingent were all in luge events, but not one finished well enough for a medal.

No participation for Sochi on behalf of Venezuela is very doubtful, but it might change.

Up next: Russia (host country)

Hugo Chavez Dead at 58.

Link.

Some pros and cons with this man:

PROS: The CITGO program gave free petrol for heating in half of the United States.

CONS: His anti-US speech at the UN which pissed the majority of Americans back in 2003, hence the boycott of CITGO fuel across the country.

Wonder where his ashes will go?

London 2012: The Countdown Series: Venezuela

54 days to go until the first day of the summer Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: Venezuela (VEN).

Venezuela has participated in the summer Olympics since 1948; a total of eleven medals have been won by Venezolano athletes in the summer games, including a gold medal.

The only gold medal for Venezuela to date was won by boxer Francisco Rodriguez, who defeated Jin Yong Yu (KOR) in the final of the light-flyweight (boxing) class at Mexico City 1968.

The most recent Olympic medal for Venezuela was won by Dalia Contreras (pictured), who scored bronze for her third place finish in the flyweight (taekwondo) class at Beijing 2008.

As of now, 62 Venezolano athletes are headed to London to compete in 13 events, including various athletics and swimming events, as well as weightlifting, judo, boxing, cycling and wrestling.

Up next: Vietnam