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Iceland’s flag bearer, cross-country skier Saevar Birgisson leads his national delegation during the Sochi opening ceremony.

If there was ever a country that you would expect to do well at the Winter Olympics, it’s the one with “ice” in its name. Except that in 16 previous trips to the Games, Iceland has never won so much as a medal.

The Summer Olympics are more Iceland’s thing. There, at least, the country has won four medals, including a silver in team handball at the 2008 Beijing Games.

The main reason Iceland fails to live up to its name is that it doesn’t get enough snow. Unpredictable weather is also a huge issue in a country that far prefers sports that can be played in vast indoor halls, like soccer and handball.

“For the winter sports, we are depending so much on the weather that’s the main issue,” said Andri Stefansson, the head of Iceland’s Olympic Committee. “We never know. Do we get the snow? Do we get the rain? Do we get the cold winter that we need?” Read More »