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...

SOMALIA

Cassandra: This girl is really funny, and she is always in a good mood!
Janet: Anisa Abdilahi, Miss Somalia for Miss Tourism Queen 2007, is also very photogenic. Although short, she has a beautiful and expressive face!

SOUTH AFRICA

Cassandra: South Africa's Claudia Henkel was a semi-finalist in Miss Universe 2005.
Janet: This woman is so chic, I love her!

SPAIN

Cassandra: Spain's best result in the last 4 years was achieved in Miss Earth 2007, when Angela Gomez Durán was the 3rd runner-up.
Janet: Her blue eyes are just amazing, Spain will be well represented at the Beauty Olympics.

SRI LANKA

Cassandra: In 2007 Aruni Rajapakse failed to compete in Miss Universe, participated in Miss Tourism Queen, and became a semi-finalist in Miss International.
Janet: Yes, she surprised us all in Japan last year...

ST. LUCIA

Cassandra: Cathy Daniel did it for St. Lucia in 2006, she was a semi-finalist in Miss Earth.
Janet: Yes, it was reason for much celebration in her island-nation!

ST. MAARTEN

Cassandra: In Miss Universe 2006 St. Maarten was represented by Gisella Hilliman.
Janet: Wow, I love her colorful outfit!

ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES

Cassandra: In 4 years St. Vincent & the Grenadines was represented in a Grand Slam pageant only once, in 2004, when LaFerne Frasier competed in Miss Universe.
Janet: She made some headlines for showing some extra pounds in the preliminary swimsuit competition.
Cassandra: But I must say she had a beautiful face!

SUDAN

Cassandra: Sudan's Angelina Nyiajima Jial was so exotic and unique, that all of a sudden she was a crowd favor wherever she went, when competing for the Miss Tourism Queen 2007 title in China.
Janet: And here's no exception, listen to the crowd reaction!! They love Miss Sudan!!

SURINAME

Cassandra: In Miss Earth 2007 Suriname was represented by Safyra Rachida Duurham.
Janet: There she is, clearly happy to be here!

SWAZILAND

Cassandra: Zinhle Marcia Magongo represented Swaziland in Miss World 2005.
Janet: She has a very cute face and the nicest attitude!

SWEDEN

Cassandra: Annie Oliv was a Top 5 finalist in Miss World 2007, a result which went against all the odds.
Janet: Perhaps Annie was not the typical Swedish stunners we used to see competing in Miss Universe and Miss World long ago, but we must agree that she has lots of charisma and talent.

SWITZERLAND

Cassandra: And the crowd goes wild again!!
Janet: Yes, Lauriane Gilliéron, a Swiss stunner who many thought could've been crowned Miss Universe 2006, enters the Olympic Stadium!
Cassandra: She looks goooorgeous!!

TAHITI

Cassandra: Tahiti's Stéphanie Lesage conquered a very honorable 3rd place in Miss Earth 2004.
Janet: Stéphanie is beautiful, a love her long and curly hair!

TAIWAN

Cassandra: In Miss Tourism Queen 2007 Chou Yi-Chun exuded elegance!
Janet: I love her posture, look at that long neck!

TANZANIA

Cassandra: Tanzania's Nancy Abraham Sumary was Miss World Africa and a Miss World finalist in 2005.
Janet: She is stunning, one of many Tanzanian beauties who have been doing quite well in Grand Slam pageants!

THAILAND

Cassandra: First runner-up in Miss Tourism Queen 2007, Thai beauty Vasana Wongbuntree nearly captured the crown!
Janet: She did everything right, what a beautiful and poised woman she is! I think she will get a lot of support throughout the competition...

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