THE CONTESTANTS

Meet the 163 competitors as they enter the Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony, with colorful comments by our very special guests Cassandra Porto and Janet Sullivan...

MONTENEGRO

Cassandra: Marija Cirovic was in Sanya last year, competing at Miss World.
Janet: She looks like a supermodel, look at that height!

MOROCCO

Cassandra: Beautiful Ibtissam Amine was Miss Morocco at Miss Tourism Queen International 2006.
Janet: She looks really good, let's see how far she can go in this competition.

NAMIBIA

Cassandra: Unnoticed in Miss Universe 2006, Anna Svetlana Nashandi returned to make a splash in Miss World.
Janet: This girl really knows how to walk, that without mentioning that she is very intelligent and articulate!

NEPAL

Cassandra: Anita Gurung participated in Miss Earth 2004.
Cassandra: Yes, I remember her. Very cute delegate from Nepal!

NETHERLANDS

Cassandra: Sabrina van der Donk was the Dutch representative at Miss Earth 2006.
Janet: The Netherlands hasn't been doing well in pageants lately.

NEW CALEDONIA

Cassandra: Now, talk about an elegant young lady! Miss New Caledonia at Miss Tourism Queen 2007, the trés belle Pascaline Dussaut!
Janet: Pascaline floats on the stage, I agree with you Cassandra!

NEW ZEALAND

Cassandra: Claire Kirby is not only gorgeous, but also a brilliant young woman!
Janet: She is one of a few we just can't understand why they were left out of Miss Earth's Top 16 in 2007!

NICARAGUA

Cassandra: I've hard from a "blue bird" that this lady was one of Donald Trump's favorites in Miss Universe 2007!
Janet: We can't be sure about that, but she certainly became many people's favorite with her great performance on stage!
Cassandra: She is great, but that dress... It might have been picked by her worst enemy!!
Janet: Oh Cassandra, you are bad, but how can I disagree with you??
(both laugh)

MALTA

Cassandra: Stephanie Zammit of Malta had such an incredible energy and aura on the 2007 Miss World stage!
Janet: She did, she actually made me feel like joining the girls and dancing!!

NIGERIA

Cassandra: In 2004 Nigeria was represented by Anita Uwagbale at Miss World.
Janet: If I am not mistaken, she was the last one to be called among the Top 15 that year.
Cassandra: Yes, what a thrill for her and her countrymen!

NIUE

Cassandra: Proving that beauty comes in all shapes is Shevalyn Maika, Miss Niue.
Janet: It's great to see Niue up there, look at her, she seems to be having a lot of fun!

NORTHERN IRELAND

Cassandra: Lucy Avril Evangelista has one of the most beautiful faces seen in a pageant in recent years.
Janet: She does! Miss Northern Ireland was a semi-finalist at Miss World 2006.

NORTHERN MARIANAS

Cassandra: Northern Mariana's Shequita Bennett has the loveliest smile!
Janet: Another beauty from Oceania receiving a warm welcome from the Chinese crowd and fans from around the globe!

NORWAY

Cassandra: Back in the Olympics as Norway's best for the 2nd time around, Kathrine Sorland now has her eyes on gold!
Janet: A semi-finalist in Miss Universe 2004, she has always scored high among pageant fans!

PAKISTAN

Cassandra: Sehr Mahmood represented Pakistan at Miss Earth 2006.
Janet: I believe she is the winner of a pageant held in Canada.
Cassandra: True, apparently pageants are not legal in Pakistan yet.

PANAMA

Cassandra: Mayte Sánchez González surprised the world by arriving in 2nd place in Miss International 2006.
Janet: It was a nice surprise though, look at her beautiful face and radiant smile!
Cassandra: Can Panama claim gold for the 2nd time in a row??
Janet: Hummmm...

NEXT