One thing I thought was hilarious about the opening parade of athletes
how many of the athletes representing small nations and nations that aren't known for winter sports, aren't really from the nations they're representing. there were more than a few of them- like gary and angelica di silvestra of staten island.
When Dominica, a tiny Caribbean nation, makes its Winter Olympic debut on Friday, the cross-country skier carrying its flag at the opening ceremony will be a wealthy former investment fund manager from Staten Island who never tried cross-country skiing until after his 30th birthday.
Now, after an intricate chain of events and a great deal of paperwork and world travel, Gary di Silvestri is a first-time Olympian at 47.
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http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/07/sports/olympics/caribbean-newcomers-dip-their-toes-in-sochis-snow.html?_r=0
Imagine that, you can buy your way into the Olympics.
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shirtless, up to the torchbearers, and light the Olympic flame himself. I was disappointed when this didn't happen 
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I usually cheer for the small normally 'non-Olympic material' countries that send one or two folks, although I know most of them are wealthy transplants (not born in the USA but born in the country they are representing and usually raised or schooled here). But I was stopped mid-cheer when I found out the guys representing Domenica were not from there, but granted citizenship based on charitable (tossing a lot of money) at the country they were representing. And usually in some sport you have to have $$$ to compete in.
Now I don't know, maybe this guy from Staten Island is a great philanthropist, well-loved in Domenica. But I would be surprised...
