2014 Winter Olympics Parade of Nations was part of the opening ceremony at the 2014 Winter Olympics. The national team from each nation participating in the Olympic Games was preceded by their national flag flag bearer into Fisht Olympic Stadium in the host city of Sochi, Russia. The flag bearer was an athlete of each national delegation chosen, to represent the athletes, either by the National Olympic Committee or by the national team.
The order of the parade was by Olympic tradition with Greece, originator of the modern games, entering first. The host nation, Russia, entered last. The nations entered in Russian alphabetic order. As each national team entered their name was announced by IOC guidelines in the official languages and customs: French, then English and Russian. [1]
Below is a list of parading countries and their announced flag bearer, in the same order as the parade. This is sortable by country name, flag bearer's name, or flag bearer's sport. Names are given in the form officially designated by the IOC. [2]
During the Parade of Nations at the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, held beginning at 6:00 PM PST on February 12, 2010, 82 athletes bearing the flags of their respective nations led their national delegations as they paraded into BC Place Stadium in the host city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Austria competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, from 7 to 23 February 2014. The team was composed of 132 athletes in 14 sports, consisting of 90 men and 42 women. The 132 athletes is 27 more than the country's previous largest Winter Olympics team.
Japan competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia from 7 to 23 February 2014. Japan's team consisted of 136 athletes in all 15 sports. The use of Russian alphabet placed it last before the host nation in the Parade of Nations.
Poland competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, from 7 to 23 February 2014. The Polish team consisted of 59 athletes in 11 sports, which was the largest ever Polish team till then, surpassing the 56 athletes that competed in 1972. With 4 gold medals won, this was the most successful Winter Olympics for Poland in its history.
Belarus competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, from 7 to 23 February 2014. Belarus' team consisted of 26 athletes, competing in five sports.
Great Britain, represented by the British Olympic Association (BOA), competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, from 7 to 23 February 2014. The British team was made up of athletes from the whole United Kingdom including Northern Ireland, whose athletes may have elected to hold Irish citizenship, allowing them to represent either Great Britain or Ireland. Additionally some British overseas territories competed separately from Britain in Olympic competition. A total of 56 athletes competed in 11 sports making it the biggest contingent that Great Britain had sent to a Winter Olympic Games for twenty-six years.
Spain competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, from 7 to 23 February 2014. The 20 athlete team was officially announced on 21 January 2014.
Australia competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, from 7 to 23 February 2014. Australia's team consisted of 60 athletes competing in 11 sports, which represented the largest Winter Olympics team the country had ever sent.
The Netherlands competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia from 7 to 23 February 2014. The Dutch team was the largest Dutch delegation at a Winter Olympics, with 41 competitors that participated in bobsleigh, short track speed skating, snowboarding, and speed skating.
The Philippines competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia from 7 to 23 February 2014. The country's participation in the games marks the first time a figure skater from Southeast Asia competed in the Games. This was the first time the Philippines competed in Russia, as it, along with 63 other nations, participated in the American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow because of the Soviet–Afghan War.
Brazil competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia from 7 to 23 February 2014. With 13 athletes qualified, Brazil sent its largest ever team to the Winter Olympics, surpassing the ten it qualified for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, United States. The 13 athletes also represent the third largest team from the Americas and the biggest of non-snowing countries.
Georgia competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia from 7-23 February 2014. The Georgian team consisted of four athletes in two sports. The team also sent seven officials. Georgia's government only decided to send athletes and coaches but no government officials due to the breakup in relations with Russia in the aftermath of the August 2008 war.
The West African country of Togo competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, held from 7 to 23 February 2014. It was the nation's first appearance at the Winter Olympics. The Togolese delegation consisted of two women athletes in two sports: Alessia Afi Dipol in alpine skiing and Mathilde-Amivi Petitjean in cross-country skiing. Petitjean was the flag bearer for the opening ceremony, while Dipol was the flag bearer for the closing ceremony. Neither athlete was able to secure a medal in their Olympic debut.
Argentina competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, from 7 to 23 February 2014. A team of seven athletes in two sports competed for the country. Cristian Javier Simari Birkner, an alpine skier, was the flagbearer for the second consecutive games. It also marks the third consecutive games a member of the Simari Birkner family has carried the flag for Argentina.
Luxembourg sent a delegation to compete at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia from 7–23 February 2014. This was Luxembourg's eighth appearance at a Winter Olympic Games. The Luxembourgian team consisted of one athlete in cross-country skiing, Kari Peters. In the only event he contested, the men's sprint, he finished in 79th place. He withdrew from the 15 km classical due to illness.
Iran competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia from 7 to 23 February 2014. Iran's team consisted of five athletes in two sports, representing the largest ever Iranian team at the Winter Olympics.
During the closing ceremony in Sochi, Russia most of the 88 nations competing selected one member of their delegation to be the flagbearer. Some countries for example, Morocco chose the same athlete as the opening ceremony. On the other hand, some countries such as Luxembourg had already left the Olympic village, and therefore a volunteer carried the flags for those countries.
During the Parade of Nations within the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics opening ceremony on February 4, athletes and officials from each participating country marched in the Beijing National Stadium preceded by their flag and placard bearer bearing the respective country's name. Each flag bearer was chosen either by the nation's National Olympic Committee or by the team of athletes themselves.
Announcements must be presented in this order: first in English, second in French, and third in the host country's language (if it is other than English or French).
Media related to 2014 Winter Olympics Parade of Nations at Wikimedia Commons