Its not all downhill in Sochi !!! Hang on tight....the 22nd - TopicsExpress

Its not all downhill in Sochi !!! Hang on tight....the 22nd Winter Olympics is under way !! The first events took place yesterday but the Official Opening is today...let the action begin !!! There will be 98 gold medals won over 16 days of competition in 15 winter sport disciplines with 2,871 athletes from 87 National Olympic Committees competing, seven of which - Dominica, Zimbabwe, Malta, Paraguay, Togo, Tonga and East Timor - are entering for the first time. The Olympic Torch was lit On 29 September 2013, and set off on an incredible journey over 123 days and some 40,000 miles with 14,000 torch carriers taking part. The Olympic flame was taken to the Caucasus’ tallest peak — Mount Elbrus, lowered to the bottom of Lake Baikal and visited the North Pole and the International Space Station en route ; through 83 Russian cities and arrives at Sochi today for the opening ceremony. A record 88 nations have qualified to compete, which beats the previous record of 82 set at the last Winter Olympics in Vancouver (2010). The first Winter Olympics were held in1924 in Chamonix, France with 258 athletes from 16 nations, with Great Britain entering the biggest team . Team GBs medal haul over years has been sparse...22 in total (9 gold, 3 silver, 10 bronze) but 2014 56-strong Team are hoping for their most successful Winter Games, with a medal target of between three and seven podium finishes. Britains most successful haul was in 1924 when they won four medals. But some amazing performances over the years...Torvill & Dean in 1984 and 1994; Jeanette Altweg (1948,1952); John Curry (1976); Robin Cousins (1980) and not forgetting bobsleighers Tony Nash and Robin Dixon (1964). And what about Eddie The Eagle Edwards, who in 1988 became the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping. He finished last but was mobbed as a hero. At the closing ceremony, the president of the Organizing Committee said At these Games, some competitors have won gold, some have broken records, and some of you have even soared like an eagle.....magic performance and what bravery !! So can we expect some magic moments this year ?... It would certainly be magic if Thailand could spring a surprise. Violinist Vanessa Mae , is one of two skiers due to represent the kingdom in Sochi. Until now the only Thai to ski at the Winter Olympics was academic Prawat Nagvajara, who competed in Salt Lake City in 2002 and at Pragelato in Italy in 2006..... And look whos back competing....Jamaicas bobsleighers are back after a 12-year absence from the Winter Olympics. Jamaica first qualified for the Winter Olympics in 1988 in Calgary, an achievement later portrayed in the 1993 Disney film Cool Runnings, and last competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City...... but they missed their first training session on the after their luggage was lost en-route to Russia....just hope they can buy some more reggae cds before they have to race !!! No doubt there will be thrills and spills through until 23rd February as the action gets under way....Opening Ceremony today, 16.00 GMT (Thailand 23.00)....lets get on the piste !!