ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE

I was bowled over by the Olympic opening ceremony and while there's so much to be said I will confine myself to a few of the things which I learned.

Two hundred and four nations are taking part and for the very first time, all of those teams include women, Qatar having included them for the first time.

Bhutan was the last country in the world to receive television.

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world.

Ecuador mourns the death of the last Galapagos giant tortoise, 'Lonesome George'.

Norway is the most successful country in the world in the Winter Olympics.

The Chinese flag bearer is over seven foot tall.

The front and back of the Paraguay flag are different.

Let the party begin!