Oh Canada! Here comes one of the largest national contingents at the 2014 Games, led by Hayley Wickenheiser.
One of Canada’s first female professional ice-hockey players, Wickenheiser has already represented Canada at the Winter Olympics four times, capturing three gold and one silver medal.
She has also appeared at the Summer Olympics, representing Canada in softball.
The Germans know how to win at pretty much everything, don’t they? Maria Hoefl-Reisch, who carries the flag for Germany, does at least.
The alpine ski racer is already a double Olympic and World Championship winner.
Other notable German competitors include Felix Loch in the luge and Stephanie Beckert in speed skating.
Short track speed skater Jon Eley leads Team GB into the Fisht Stadium.
The winter sport Brits will be looking to carry on the spirit of 2012 when London hosted a memorable summer games and many of their compatriots, like Mo Farah and Sir Chris Hoy, excelled.
The Brits look excited!
Only the third ever Bermudan athlete to compete in the Winter Olympics and the only competitor from the Caribbean Island at the 2014 Games, Tucker Murphy is a cross country skier appearing at his second Olympics.
Murphy carried the flag at the opening ceremony in Vancouver 2010 as well. Back then he was resplendent in bright red Bermuda shorts. Obviously! Believe it or not, he’s gone for the same bold sartorial style today.
He must be freezing!
When it comes to the Winter Olympics, CNN has got all bases covered. Not only will you be able to get the latest from the Games right here every day, you can also follow our team on the ground in Russia.
Our troop of anchors, producers, writers and cameramen will be showing you a side to Sochi you can’t see on your television screens.
To see what they’re up, all you have to do is look for the #CNNSochi hashtag on Instagram or Twitter.
CNN’s own Ben Wyatt will be dedicating his days to bringing the best pictures and videos, which I’ll be showing you throughout the day.
For many, the Winter Games are something of an enigma.
The events can seem odd. The idea of combining long-distance skiing with rifle shooting, for example.
But entrenched between London 2012 and Rio 2016, Sochi 2014 is an opportunity for us to get our two-yearly Olympic fix.
If you’re not convinced, Sarah Holt is here to help. She has handily compiled 10 reasons why absolutely everyone should LOVE the Winter Games.
“Russia,” declared the country’s president Vladimir Putin, “is ready to host the Games.”
Four years after the Olympic Cauldron was extinguished in Vancouver, Canada, it is to be set ablaze once more for Russia’s first Winter Games.
After a build-up like no other, the eyes of the world are fixed firmly on Sochi, the Black Sea resort which will play host to 16 days of blood, sweat, tears and gold.
My name is Tom McGowan and it is time for the talking to stop, Sochi 2014 is about to get under way.
